Howard Hughes is threatening action against Conroe over its extended building moratorium, claiming the city has ignored waiver requests and stalled permits for homes under contract in The Woodlands Hills.
The Howard Hughes Corporation is intensifying its conflict with the City of Conroe regarding the ongoing enforcement of a building moratorium, hinting at possible legal action following the city's rejection of nearly a dozen building permits for The Woodlands Hills development.
The conflict escalated after the Conroe City Council unanimously voted on Wednesday to prolong the moratorium for an additional 120 days. The moratorium, initially established in August 2024 and extended in December, suspends new residential and commercial development on the city's swiftly growing north side due to persistent water infrastructure issues.
In a letter dated April 14 and acquired by the Houston Chronicle, officials from Howard Hughes asserted that the city has overlooked two formal waiver requests concerning vested, platted lots, some of which are already under contract with homebuyers. “Despite these efforts, the city persists in withholding building permits... and has not yet provided any formal path forward,” the letter stated.
City officials refute the assertion of a lack of communication. On Wednesday, Assistant City Administrator and Public Works Director Norman McGuire stated that discussions with the developer are ongoing. They emphasized the city’s recent approval of a $719,000 project to construct a 16-inch water line along Seven Coves Road to Texas 75. “We maintain ongoing communication, and they are aware that this project is on the horizon,” McGuire stated, emphasizing its direct benefits to The Woodlands Hills.
Howard Hughes shares its frustration with others. Other developers, such as Beazer Homes and KB Homes, have faced denied requests under the moratorium, impacting projects like Grace Landing, Sagecrest Landing, and a community splash pad.
Conroe has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, with its population increasing from 56,207 in 2010 to an estimated 108,248 by July 2023. City leaders attribute the shortcomings in critical water infrastructure to previous administrations, resulting in current officials' urgent need to tackle significant operational challenges.
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