Community Impact reports that in a 3-2 vote during a meeting on July 10th, the Conroe City Council approved changing its ordinance to remove the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, resulting in a shift of authority for plat and plan approvals to the city staff. Voting against the decision were Councilmembers Howard Wood and Harry Hardman.
The commission served as a public influenced review of development, but several councilmembers and city staff took the position that the commission had become a “rubber stamp.”
Assistant City Administrator and Public Works Director Norman McGuire said, “There [were] three defers over the past three to five years that ultimately came back and passed with staff recommendation.”
Hardman said he understood the frustration, “but if it’s going to be essentially a rubber stamp meeting, then I see some value in the efficiency.” Hardman added that he wanted to see a report monthly from the staff to the council about what is being considered. He wanted a “check and balance outside of staff.”
Getting rid of the commission, according to McGuire could save time for both developers and city staff. He said, it makes for “efficiency in the process.” He said plat submittals would be speeded up and it saves time in moving on to the next project or process.
Mayor Coon said he saw the Planning Commission as “a bridge” between our local government and out citizens. He describe the Planning Commissions work as a window for citizens, adding he hates to “think that we are about to close that window.”
City Attorney Mike Garner said with the ordinance change staff will take care of plat approvals directly. Appeals will go the city council.
Councilmember Marsha Porter said she wanted to see the council have a “little more control,” specifically when the city gets a call about developments they were not aware of.
