The Woodlands Township Board holds Strategic Planning Session, addresses resident concerns

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held its regular meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2023, and a Special Budget Strategic Planning Session on Friday, May 19, 2023.

The 2024 Budget was a primary topic of conversation by the Board at the Friday morning meeting. Thursday’s meeting, held in the evening, included the following topics: reconsideration of the construction of restrooms at Capstone Park, the reforestation efforts in the Kayak Ridge area of Creekside Park, the reconstitution of a ‘One Water Task Force’ and quarterly updates.

Directors discussed the upcoming 2024 Budget Process that will take place in August 2023. A list of Budget considerations can be found on this presentation that was presented by Township President & Chief Executive Officer Monique Sharp: Budget Planning Session

Additionally, Township Director Brad Bailey made the recommendation to create a Budget Initiative to discuss public enhancements at Grogan’s Mill Village Center, and Director Richard Franks requested discussion of a performing arts center in the budget process.

At Thursday’s Regular Meeting, the Board reversed its decision to construct restrooms at Capstone Park based on new recommendations by Township staff in consideration of residents' concerns. The original proposal to add restrooms to Capstone Park was approved at the November 2022 regular board meeting based on response to the results of the 2022 Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment on August 24, 2022. The report contained feedback from residents listing their highest priorities as facility maintenance, pathways and trails maintenance, and desire for more system-wide park amenities such as restrooms and parking.

As background, The Woodlands Township is a master-planned community with a world-class parks and recreation system. The success of the Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment has been attributed to the department’s thorough understanding of the community’s recreational needs. While data from the Needs Assessment supports the inclusion of a restroom amenity at Capstone Park based on providing a level of service consistent with other Area Parks, due to the unique characteristics of Capstone Park, this decision will reclassify Capstone Park from an Area Park to a Neighborhood Park and will reallocate funding approved for the restrooms at Capstone Park to other improvement projects in the 2022 Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment. Restrooms will not be constructed in Capstone Park and Township staff will return with specific recommendations for that funding during the budget process.

The Board approved reforestation efforts in the Kayak Ridge area of Creekside Park. Concerns were raised at the March 23, 2023, Board of Directors meeting regarding construction of a new development located outside of The Woodlands Township boundaries in which a developer clear-cut approximately 55 acres of densely forested land, creating a direct sight line to the construction zone and future homes that will be built on this property. Township staff reviewed the site and identified a 30-foot reserve owned by The Township between the residential fences and MUD 386 drainage easement. A plan was developed that will utilize 20 feet of reserve for reforestation that does not interfere with drainage infrastructure and utilities. This reforestation project will provide a buffer for the 27 homes that back up to the development to the south and east. The projected 20-foot-wide tree plantings will span 2,065 linear feet and will be planted in multiple rows in a triangular pattern.

The board also received an update on recent activity by Woodlands Water and area Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) to reconstitute a ‘One Water Task Force’ comprised of the MUDs, The Woodlands Township and other stakeholders to facilitate communication and discussion of water-related issues. Current planning efforts include establishing membership for the task force and establishing short- and long-term priorities for area concerns including groundwater use, drainage and flood control and mitigation.

The board received quarterly updates from the Development Standards Committee (DSC) and The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, known as Visit The Woodlands.

The Woodlands High School Boys Doubles Tennis State Champs were recognized by The Board of Directors with proclamations in commemoration of their achievements and services to the community.

On the Consent Agenda, the Board received reports from Community Services and The Woodlands Fire Department, approved the bid for construction and renovation of trolley stops, approved a renewal for a one-year extension of the contract with First Class for transportation services, and approved the sub-area allocations for The Woodlands-Conroe Urbanized Area with the City of Conroe in accordance with the Urbanized Area Agreement.

Members of the public were able to address the Board at the start of Thursday’s regular meeting.

The Woodlands Township Board Meetings may be attended in person, watched live online, or viewed later via recording at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/meetingvideos. The agenda and attachments may be viewed at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/991/Agendas-Minutes-and-More.