Conroe council narrows role of planning commission in 3-2 vote after public objections

The Conroe City Council on July 10 approved an ordinance amending Chapter 94 of the city code to change how plats are administered and approved, a move critics called a reduction in public oversight.

The ordinance, described on the agenda as an amendment to Chapter 94, article 2 (administration) and article 3 (approval of plats and platting), passed on a 3-2 roll-call vote after more than an hour of public comment and council discussion about transparency and efficiency.

Why it matters: The Planning Commission has long been a public venue where residents and developers present subdivision plats and staff recommendations. Speakers at the meeting said the proposed change would remove a layer of public review and shift authority to staff-level review, which they warned could reduce notice, accountability and public input on development decisions.

Public commen…