Commission approves Sienna-area amendments to major thoroughfare plan to enable regional funding requests

The Planning and Zoning Commission approved proposed amendments to the major thoroughfare plan affecting the Sienna area on May 13 after a presentation from City Engineer Vincenzo Carrazos. Carrazos said the changes add alternate routes and extensions and formally designate some existing roadways as major thoroughfares to make them eligible for federal and regional funding programs administered through agencies such as HGAC.

"When we designate something as a major thoroughfare, we can go and ask for federal funding," Carrazos said, explaining that the designation shifts a road’s functional classification (major collector, minor arterial or major arterial) and supports grant requests. He noted the proposed plan reflects Fort Bend County’s 2022 approval of Miller Road as a major thoroughfare and that additional feasibility studies (wetlands, soils) would be needed before construction.

Commissioners and residents raised concerns about Miller Road connectors, wetlands, drainage and where added traffic would be routed. James Hunt and David Brammer asked whether new routes would create overpasses or dump traffic into two‑lane rural roads; Brammer warned of wetlands and flood risks and asked the commission to consider alternative routes. Carrazos described the next steps — conceptual studies and feasibility work — and said public notice and opportunities for comment would continue through subsequent design and adoption steps. The commission then voted to approve the staff‑proposed map amendments; the chair announced "motion carries."

Carrazos emphasized the plan stage is conceptual: design and environmental feasibility studies are required before any construction, and the city will coordinate with Fort Bend County and TxDOT for segments outside city jurisdiction.