Montgomery County pulls proposed Townsend Blvd undertaking after residents shared flood considerations, however taxpayers should must pay

SPRING, Texas (KTRK) — Some Montgomery County neighbors are respiration a sigh of aid about flooding considerations, however their pleasure could also be short-lived.

Robert Rollen has skilled the rising pains of dwelling in a more recent group.

“Lots of people are coming in from this manner,” Rollen defined.

Elevated visitors is not Rollen’s solely fear about extra growth. He lives within the Benders Touchdown Estates group off the Grand Parkway.

It is a spot that may very well be seeing much more houses, and it is simply east of his group.

Greater than 5,000 acres are accepted for growth, however some Montgomery County leaders want it weren’t.

Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler’s workplace stated it requested the Harris County Flood Management District to assist it buy the land from the developer due to how shut it’s to our bodies of water. The developer officers stated they haven’t any plans to promote.

“The flooding, the rise in visitors, simply opening it up, and the slicing down of all of the timber, there’s nothing to carry in vegetation,” Rollen defined.

A way of aid, although, got here days in the past. The enjoyment stems from one thing now not discovered at voting websites.

A street bond vote is underway. $42 million of it might’ve added a brand new four-lane street from the Grand Parkway to Rayford Street.

Days in the past, Wheeler held a city corridor the place dozens of neighbors expressed considerations about visitors and flooding.

Now, paperwork present the undertaking was eliminated.

“We may most likely use the event, however not the best way they have it deliberate,” Rollen defined. “It creates a whole lot of extra flooding.”

That undertaking is not on the poll, however it doesn’t suggest the houses aren’t approaching the opposite facet of the creek. The commissioner’s workplace says the developer, Ryko, plans to proceed.

Here is the thing– taxpayers may nonetheless be on the hook for street work.

Earlier leaders gave the corporate till 2030 to construct a street that might take drivers close to the Eastex Freeway. As soon as full, taxpayers would reimburse them practically $30 million.

ABC13 contacted Ryko to see if the county’s determination to drag the street undertaking affected its plans. We’ve not heard again.

“If there is a will, there is a approach,” Rollen stated. “Someone goes to return by means of with one thing.”

Whereas one half could not occur, neighbors concern the event will come, inflicting extra rising pains within the space.

For updates on this story, observe Nick Natario on Fb, X and Instagram.