Houston planning commissioners approve multiple MTFP amendments; White Oak Drive reclassified to allow speed cushions

The Houston Planning Commission on Thursday approved a package of changes to the city's 2024 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP), voting to send recommendations to City Council by Sept. 30.

Acting Chair Commissioner Sonny Garza opened the in-person meeting at the City Hall Annex and confirmed a 13-member quorum. Planning staff presented recommendations for multiple amendments, and commissioners approved each item by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Staff presented Item A, a Tuckerton Road amendment, recommending approval of a realignment from just east of House Hall Road to approximately 1,400 feet west of Katie Hockley Road and the deletion of the southwestern loop of a proposed minor collector. Antoinisha Berry, a planning staff member, told the commission the applicant had worked with opposing parties to reach an alternate alignment; no members of the public spoke on the item and commissioners approved the staff recommendation.

For Item C, staff recommended reclassifying Business Street (Fort Bend County portion) from a major thoroughfare to a major collector between Harlem Road and FM 1464, citing coordination with CenterPoint and Fort Bend County. Jason Lowenthal (staff) said the reclassification reduces right-of-way needs; the commission approved the recommendation.

Item D (Burnham Woods Boulevard) would delete a proposed major thoroughfare segment and reclassify another portion as a major collector so Houston's MTFP aligns with Montgomery County's prior update. Rovan Calum (staff) said Harris and Montgomery counties and some residents support the change; commissioners approved it.

Item E (Jergen Road) proposed shifting the planned alignment about 245 feet to the south between Mushki Road and the Grand Parkway to use an existing underpass, a change Harris County engineering did not object to. Staff recommended approval and the commission voted to approve the realignment.

Item F, presented by Sofia Fone, requested realignment of the proposed major collector Kermit Road (Bay Road to Warren Branch Road) and deletion of an east-west minor collector between Kermit and Warren Branch; staff said the change meets connectivity and safety standards and that affected stakeholders had discussed the proposal. The commission approved the recommendation.

Item G concerned White Oak Drive in the City of Houston. Brandon Mosley (transportation planner) said staff recommended reclassifying the Studiewood-to-Watson Street segment from a major collector to a minor collector so the street could qualify for the city's speed control program. "Residents have experienced and endured speeding and property damage since 2019," Mosley said, and staff cited letters of support from the district and adjacent neighbors. No public speakers were signed up for the item; the commission approved the reclassification to allow installation of speed cushions.

Vice Chair Garza noted Item B had been withdrawn from the agenda and would not be considered at the meeting. Mosley told commissioners the commission has until Sept. 30 to submit its recommendations to City Council for final action.

During a post-presentation exchange, Commissioner Heinz asked how residents should report concerns about thoroughfare classifications. Mosley and Vaughn Tran, the commission's secretary and director, advised residents to contact transportation staff; Tran added, "they can always call 311," which routes requests to the appropriate city office.

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. after the commission completed votes and brief discussion. The approved recommendations will be transmitted to City Council for final consideration.