The Houston Planning Commission voted to grant a special exception and approve the Northfield Estates replat, a proposed gated residential subdivision in southwest Houston, after multiple residents and nearby business owners testified with concerns about utilities, flooding and future street connectivity.

Planning staff presented the proposal and recommended granting the special exception, noting the applicant would provide a cul-de-sac for access and that Houston Public Works had no objections. “Staff recommends granting the requested special exception and approving the plat subject to the CPC 101 form conditions,” staff said.

Several neighbors and local business owners urged the commission to deny or delay approval. Eitan Merwiss, a longtime homeowner and former planning commissioner, said he opposed the replat and warned it would “deny potential future street connectivity and utility access,” landlock nearby undeveloped parcels, and worsen flooding on Magee Lane.

Business owner Guy Felton told the commission McGee Lane lacks public utilities and said it floods during storms: “Our property has been flooded… there needs to be a utility easement to handle stormwater,” he said, urging the developer to comply with city requirements.

Ben Badesky, representing the applicant, said the developer had offered to provide utility access to adjacent McGee properties and disputed the claim that the project was creating the landlock. “We would be happy to grant him access as long as it… he was doing at his expense,” Badesky said, and noted the developer would continue discussions with neighbors about drainage and utility connections.

Rabbi Jerachmiel Garfield, representing a nearby private school that is negotiating to use part of the developer’s land, said the school supported the proposal because it would create space for the school and for neighborhood families who walk to campus.

After hearing testimony and questions from commissioners, Commissioner Sigler moved to grant the special exception and approve the plat; Commissioner Jones seconded. The motion carried.

Commissioners and staff noted unresolved issues remain: residents’ concerns about McGee Lane utilities and historic drainage patterns will require follow-up. Staff said the plat’s approval does not itself create public utilities on private McGee Lane and that utility access or stormwater remedies will require separate agreements or engineering work during permitting and construction.