Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Acquisition Feasibility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Feasibility report finds FM 1097 tract suitable for future campus; recommends routing of county thoroughfare to avoid bisecting site
Summary
An engineering feasibility study presented June 24 found a 73.5-acre tract on FM 1097 largely suitable for a future Montgomery ISD campus and recommended the district work to avoid a planned thoroughfare alignment that could bisect the site.
Sledge Engineering presented a feasibility study June 24 on a potential Montgomery ISD land acquisition along FM 1097. The report evaluated topography, floodplain, utilities, environmental and cultural resources and potential costs to prepare the site for development.
Key findings
- Size and layout: The parcel totals about 73.5 acres; Sledge estimated roughly 9.5 acres are in FEMA-regulated floodplain, leaving an effective developable area of about 64 acres without floodplain mitigation. The property includes a creek that bisects the site. - Use suitability: The consultant said the tract can reasonably accommodate most campus types (elementary, intermediate, middle or specialty campus) and district operations, though it does not lay out as cleanly for a large high school. - Utilities and jurisdiction: Water, sewer, electric and gas service are available at the site; the land lies inside the city limits of the City of Montgomery. The current zoning is industrial (ID); staff recommended pursuing rezoning to an institutional use if the district proceeds. - Environmental and cultural review: A Phase I environmental assessment and wetland determination found no evidence of regulated environmental conditions; a state archaeological survey of more than 130 shovel tests did not identify artifacts that would block development. Sledge reported no recognized endangered-species habitat. - Floodplain, drainage and grading: The report advised preserving the creek in a natural condition where possible to reduce erosion and avoid expensive channel hardening. It documented existing downstream scour and urged careful coordination with TxDOT and county drainage planners. - Cost-to-shovel-ready estimate: Sledge provided a conservative planning-level estimate of roughly $1.8 million to bring the site to a shovel-ready state (planning, surveying, utility extensions to the site, traffic work and contingency). The firm noted additional items such as a traffic signal could add material cost if required by TxDOT.
Board and staff discussion
The consultant recommended the district control the routing of a county/city thoroughfare shown on local plans because the draft thoroughfare alignment could bisect the eastern portion of the tract and significantly affect developability. The board and staff reported they have already begun conversations with county officials about preferred routing, and city staff indicated rezoning to institutional was under consideration.
Sledge recommended the district avoid extensive floodplain fill where possible, use natural creek approaches to drainage, and continue detailed geotechnical and utility engineering if the district decides to close on the site. Staff said they expect to close on the contract in the coming weeks subject to feasibility findings and regulatory reviews.
