Community Development authored a presentation on Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges to Council, which was presented by the Director at Council's Annual Retreat. Les McKay, Luis Nunez, John Mangiameli and other staff / sources helped prepare this presentation.

1. Conroe Growth, Annexation Trendsand ChallengesJune 26th, 2009 Annual Council retreat Presented By: Mr. Guy d. andrews Director-Community development, for the City of Conroe Our Mission “To protect and serve the citizens of Conroe and exceed their expectations”

2. Conroe Challenges Source: Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

3. Planning Challenges Comprehensive Plan integration and implementation into business practice. Coordination of a more integrated approach to update the Major Thoroughfare Plan, including developing a Sidewalk & Trails Master Plan to address pedestrian mobility. Analyze Housing Stock to help understand community’s true housing needs. Meeting this challenge means, focused planning efforts that develop each individual plan or study and integrating other planning efforts where applicable. Source: Community Development, Burditt and Associates Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

4. Residential Growth Challenge Maintain a balance of quality residential growth that meets the needs of the current and future marketplace. Meeting this challenge means, a focused effort to understand the City’s housing needs, and to convey those to developers. Source: Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

5. Commercial Growth Challenge Maintain a balance of dynamic commercial growth without fostering urban sprawl that results in unplanned mobility issues. Meeting this challenge means fostering a strong relationship with the commercial development community that leads to a win-win situation. Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges Source: Read King Commercial Real Estate, Covarrubias Associates Architects, Bleyl & Associates Conroe Arts and Communications

6. Industrial Growth Challenge Continue to attract responsible industrial businesses to the City’s northern industrial park, and begin to consider broadening the City’s industrial site offerings. Meeting this challenge means, focused efforts to study feasibility of an industrial park located in the southeast portion of Conroe, and other areas for potential industrial growth. Source: Greater Conroe Economic Development Council Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

7. Permitting Challenge Recent spike in building activities without a permit have become an issue in Conroe. Illegal construction activity compromises the public health and safety. If left unchecked, it will proliferate beyond control. Meeting this challenge will mean: creating public awareness; swift enforcement; coordinating with Police, Municipal Courts, and other city departments; establishing stricter penalties; and developing new procedures and standards. Source: Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

8. Mobility Challenge The Comprehensive Plan outlined a Major Thoroughfare Plan for 2025 to begin to address mobility issues of Conroe & Montgomery County. This Dynamic plan needs to be updated. Meeting this challenge means, integrating sub-consultant work such as along Fm-3083, and current staff planning efforts. Publishing and Adopting a major Thoroughfare Plan as a result. Source: Community Development,Wilbur Smith Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

9. Traffic Signals Challenge In 2011 the City will inherit maintenance and responsibility for traffic signals from TxDOT. This includes 10-Flashing Red, 26-Flashing Yellow, 11-Luminary, and 71- Signalized Intersections. Meeting this challenge means, sub-contracting this work, and/or building an internal division of manpower and equipment to respond to this 24/7 maintenance operation. Source: Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

10. Multi-modal Transportation Challenge With the expansion of commercial and industrial development, along with an influx of people into Montgomery County, Conroe faces a multi-modal transportation challenge. Mobility of people and freight are key to make Conroe an attractive alternative to Houston. Meeting this challenge means, focused efforts to support the expansion and development of Lone Star Executive Airport into a regional air traffic hub. Additionally, future studies regarding mobility should include transit options of high speed rail, HOV lanes, and toll-ways. Source: Lone Star Executive Airport, Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

11. Annexation Challenge In 2009 the City is planning to annex west along SH-105, and two neighborhoods adjacent to the previous years annexed territory and Lake Conroe. This also includes adopting a 3-year Annexation Plan for Longmire on Lake Conroe and Studying Non-Consent tracts. Meeting this challenge means, completing two annexations, a Non-Consent Exempt Study and adopting a 3-Year Plan by the end of the current year. Continuing to improve how we evaluate each potential annexation, especially in terms of service provisions. Source: Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

12. Non-Consent Exempt Challenge Identified large AG & TIM Exempt tracts Should Annex or seek SPA’s, with 4 that are adjacent to city Click for Appraisal Cards Source: Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

13. Annexation Growth Challenge Click for Feasibility Studies Potential Expanded 3-Year Area Water Pointe Source: Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

14. Northward Expansion Challenge Potential Voluntary Annexations Willis ISD Source: Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

15. Asset Management Challenge In 2010 the City is planning to implement Carte’graph Asset Management Software in Public Works. This changes Conroe’s current business practices. Meeting this challenge means, providing more manpower to capture, detail and manage those assets. Source: Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

16. FIRM Map Revision Challenge The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has undertaken an initiative to modernize National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maps nationwide. FEMA prepared Preliminary copies of the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for Montgomery County, Texas and its Incorporated Areas dates September 23, 2008 for review and comment. Meeting this challenge means, educating the public of Floodplain changes and staying abreast of FEMA-related requirements. *Update the FMP to better align these challenges with CRS NFIP requirements. Source: Community Development, FEMA Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

17. Challenge Balance Source: Community Development Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges

18. Credits: Mr. Jerry S. McGuire – Conroe City Administrator Conroe Community Development Department Conroe Arts & Communications Lake Conroe Convention & Visitors Bureau USDA Forest Service – National Forest & Grasslands in Texas Conroe Parks and Recreation Burditt and Associates Read King Commercial Real Estate Covarrubias Associates Architects Bleyl & Associates Greater Conroe Economic Development Council (GCEDC) LJA Planning Wilbur Smith Lone Star Executive Airport Professional Group Associates Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) Conroe Growth, Annexation Trends and Challenges