Houston Planning Commission reviews proposed changes to Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan

HOUSTON ' At 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, the Houston Planning Commission met at the City Hall Annex for a workshop on proposed amendments to the city's Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP), hearing staff presentations on three corridor changes and taking public comment. No formal votes were taken; commissioners will consider final recommendations at the commission's Sept. 21 meeting.

The staff presentation was led by Wilson Calvert, planner, who described proposed changes to multiple MTFP segments and staff recommendations. "Only items with updates were placed on today's agenda," Calvert said, and he walked commissioners through each change and the reasoning behind staff recommendations.

The workshop matters because the MTFP determines future road classifications and right-of-way widths that affect development patterns, traffic safety and access for property owners.

Chimney Rock Road: staff opposes speed cushions, will pursue other measures

The commission heard a request to permit traffic-calming measures on Chimney Rock Road between San Felipe and Westheimer in the Galleria area. Calvert said staff is not supporting the applicant's request for speed cushions because "the traffic volumes are excessive" for that type of treatment, identifying vehicle volumes of about 16,000 vehicles per day for the section presented. He said staff will "work with Council Member Hoffman's office and Houston Public Works to identify what things are possible," such as a speed-limit sign with integrated radar, painted crosswalks or increased enforcement.

Commissioner Rosenberg pressed that the high vehicle volume is precisely why residents sought calming. "We're basically saying vehicles have a higher priority on the street than people do," Rosenberg said, adding that the public right-of-way and demonstrated safety hazards justify further consideration of treatments. Chair Lisa Clark responded that staff's position was that the roadway classification alone does not determine which traffic-control measures are possible and that the other agencies and the council member's office would pursue feasible steps.

Cypress North / Salon / Greens / Mills: mixed recommendations, TxDOT support on one deletion

Calvert presented three requests for a northwest Harris County application along Highway 249 that spans city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ). The first request sought removal of a segment of Cypress North Houston between Perry Road and FM 1960 for a detention project; staff said it was "working towards recommending approval as submitted" for that deletion.

A second request asked to reclassify Salon Road as a major collector. Calvert said the city's current stance is that the corridor should be either a local street or a major thoroughfare, and staff was "working towards a recommendation of deletion from the MTFP" rather than reclassifying it as a collector.

The third request asked for deletion of Greens Road from Gessner to Mills. Staff recommended approval for that deletion, noting traffic counts on Mills Road are about 8,000 vehicles per day. Calvert added that "the existing Mills Road right of way is actually wide enough to improve to 4 lanes" even though the roadway is currently two lanes, and that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) supported the proposed deletion for this segment.

East Tidwell: proposed downgrade from major thoroughfare to collector to aid development

Staff described a separate application in eastern Harris County (ETJ) alongside Beltway 8 for East Tidwell Road. The application originally sought a 100-foot major thoroughfare alignment; staff presented an adjustment to an 80-foot major collector to allow a proposed commercial developer more buildable area and to avoid overly large curve radii that encourage higher speeds. Calvert said Tidwell would terminate at Pilon Road because of the Sheldon Reservoir and that he was coordinating with Harris County Parks (the county has leased adjacent land) to assess impacts on the park site. A commissioner noted the land lies in Harris County Precinct 1.

Public comment: property owners say deletion could remove public access

Two property owners spoke during general public comment about a planned East-West unnamed thoroughfare that they said is slated for deletion. Marlon Musselman, who identified himself as a property owner in Fort Bend County, said that "if the entire East-West unnamed road is deleted, that leaves me with no public access to my property," and he asked that an access connection be preserved from Rowan Road to Chimney Rock.

Danny Wynn, another property owner, supported Musselman's request and urged the commission to restore the street to provide access that would allow development, services and jobs. "Property is valueless if it doesn't have accessibility," Wynn said, and he said restoring the street would help relieve congestion on nearby toll and regional routes.

Chair Clark and other commissioners clarified that removing a major thoroughfare designation from the MTFP does not prevent roads from being built as development occurs. Clark said removing the MTFP designation "simply means this [segment] won't be a major thoroughfare. But that doesn't mean there won't be roads. Land will be developed. There will be local streets, collector roads, whatever the case may be." Calvert also noted the item discussed in public comment would return on the next agenda with a full final report.

Next steps and follow-up

Commission staff said they will continue coordination with Houston Public Works, Council Member Hoffman's office, TxDOT and Harris County Parks where noted, and that the Planning Commission will take a recommendation vote at its Sept. 21 meeting. No formal actions or votes were taken at the Aug. 21 workshop.

The planning and development department provided a contact number for further questions: (832) 393-6600 and the development services planner of the day at (832) 393-6624; staff also referenced houstonplanning.com for additional materials.