Houston-Area Councils Weigh Public Safety, Development and Leadership Changes

A series of meetings held Nov. 13–18 in the Houston region addressed development decisions, infrastructure repairs, and school board leadership changes.

Fabian Medhurst

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Fabian Medhurst

Published 

Nov 26, 2025

Houston-Area Councils Weigh Public Safety, Development and Leadership Changes

Concerns over the denial of McDonald's rezoning in Pearland, a traffic signal repair contract in Conroe, and leadership changes in the New Caney Independent School District were among the highlights of a busy week of local government actions in the Houston region.

On November 17th, the City Council in Pearland unanimously denied a conditional use permit for a planned McDonald's on Dixie Farm Road. The applicant planned to build a fast-food restaurant at 3203 Dixie Farm Road on land set aside for neighborhood services. Concerns about compatibility, noise, and traffic were among the reasons residents of the adjoining Pine Hollow area cited in opposing the proposal. After siding with the opposition, the council ultimately decided against the initiative.

Further to the north, the Conroe City Council gave its approval to a contract for the rebuilding of a traffic signal that had been severely damaged earlier this year at the intersection of South Loop 336 and the southbound frontage road exit of Interstate 45. 

On November 13, the Council decided to award the contract to Third Coast Services LLC, even though the business had submitted the lowest responsible offer, $79,583. This was far lower than the engineer's estimate of $110,000. Staff members from Engineering and Public Works were responsible for designing the entire rebuild, and their bid was the highest of the three proposals.

Officials from around the region expect to debate public safety and environmental development in December meetings.

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