Waller County pauses Pickapoo Road thoroughfare amendment after residents and landowners raise concerns

Waller County commissioners opened a public hearing on Feb. 11 to consider a major thoroughfare plan amendment affecting Kickapoo/Joseph Road. County engineer Ross McCall presented three alignment options (the existing green alignment and proposed red and yellow alternatives) and described tradeoffs involving floodplain crossings, right‑of‑way acquisition and effects on a small chapel and potential county park.

“This thoroughfare plan…is a preservation tool,” Ross McCall told the court, stressing the map preserves right‑of‑way for future construction rather than authorizing immediate work. He said the plan identifies a 120‑foot corridor to maintain north–south connectivity as growth occurs, and that floodplain crossings may require elevated structures that increase cost.

Residents and landowner representatives raised technical and timing concerns. Ripley Woodard, representing a directly affected landowner, said the landowner was not opposed to realignment changes and was prepared to work with the county. Other commenters asked about detention, drainage, access, and whether individual property owners had received notice that their land could be impacted by an amended alignment.

Commissioners discussed options including moving the tie‑in south of the floodplain to avoid elevated structures and using existing Kickapoo right‑of‑way to reduce acquisition costs. Several commissioners emphasized the plan is a long‑range preservation tool to avoid future development obstructing a potential corridor.

Outcome: Commissioners agreed to withdraw the item from action, ask engineering staff to mail notices to landowners along the proposed alignments, and bring the item back on a future agenda (target March 4) to allow more public input and focused outreach. No alignment was selected at this meeting.