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East 1488
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Status of widening of FM 1488-
Late July, 2004
The acquisition of right-of-way for the
widening of FM 1488 continues, according to Assistant County Engineer
Mike Beitler. The County is presently acquiring the right-of-way
between FM 2978 and I-45 but the process moves forward slowly.
According to Beitler, about six properties have been acquired and
several others are in negotiations at various stages.
Mr. Beitler also said the County is
preparing to begin mapping the right-of-way along FM1488 west from
FM2978 to Sendera Lakes. This is an attempt to hurry the widening of
the western section of FM 1488, Beitler says, and is in response to
the tremendous growth occurring throughout the area.
Commissioner Craig Doyal recently
announced he'd met with TXDoT and worked out a plan whereby they would
begin construction plans immediately instead of waiting (as is usually
the case) for ALL the right-of-way to be acquired BEFORE they begin
work on the construction plans. This way, as soon as the right-of-way
is acquired, the plans will be complete and construction can begin
immediately.
Immediately may still be a year away,
however.
Michael M Beitler, Assistant County Engineer , reported on November 11, 2003 that Montgomery County has hired an appraiser who has mapped the first 50 parcels for the widening of FM 1488 from FM 2978 to Old Conroe Road. The County expects to begin acquiring parcels through that area in about a month. The County will continue appraising and acquiring the rest of the parcels down to State Highway 242.Mr. Beitler is hopeful the widening of FM 1488 between FM 2978 and State Highway 242 can begin within the year. SMC Improvement District The Board of the Southwest Montgomery County Improvement District has been created by the legislature and, as such, legally exists and may carry on business as a start-up District. Chairman Robert (Barney) Barnwell III has set up several committees. They include: a Research Committee to look into the purposes and goals of other Texas Improvement Districts and evaluate their performances; a Budget Committee to determine and forecast revenue sources and amounts available; a Communications Committee to gather public input and interface with neighborhood organizations to keep the public informed. At the November 3, 2003 meeting of the Board of Directors, Chairman Barnwell administered the Oath of Office to Jane Hawk Miller who became Director, Position 7, and represents the City of Magnolia on the Board. Chairman Barnwell also announced the resignation of Ms. Vicky Rudy as Acting Administrator for the District. Ms Rudy had served in that capacity on a volunteer basis. Chairman Barnwell spoke of her dedication and thanked her, in her absence, on behalf of the Board. (see letter below) Board members will continue to listen and talk with people within the District, while continuing to research other Texas Improvement Districts. It has not yet been determined when another confirmation election will be held. Handouts:
Michael M Beitler, Assistant County Engineer, is expecting Montgomery County Commissioners' Court to hire an appraiser in early October to begin work on appraising the right-of-way for the widening of FM1488.
According to Beitler, the County will then begin negotiations to acquire
the right-of-way starting at FM2978 and working toward State Highway
242.
"Kroger's has been a really good neighbor," Beitler said. "They donated
the right-of-way on the property they bought" (at the corner of FM2978
and FM1488).
The amount of right-of-way acquired on either side of the road will vary
according to whether the land is open land or already built upon,
Beitler said. There are about 80 parcels to acquire, some of which may
go to condemnation, which will slow the process. Though right-of-way
acquisition may take as long as 18 months, Beitler is hopeful it will go
quickly and road construction can begin within in a year.
The County has made the widening of FM1488 a priority ever since an East
1488 Community Association meeting with TXDoT Engineer Karen Baker
alerted both the County and the State to the increasing traffic
congestion in the area.
East 1488 Community Association members meeting: November 13, 2003 at 7 p.m. at Bear Branch Junior High School Library. Voting members, please plan to attend or send someone from your subdivision. We’ll be updating members on area developments and asking for opinions /votes on various local topics.
Southwest Montgomery County Improvement District was not ratified by voters in the September elections. More information about the future of the District will be posted as it becomes available. (Check under Projects).
Proposed Flea Market next to Oakcrest Estates: The Association has made numerous attempts (by letter and phone) to contact the owner of the property (Thomas W. Redmon, President, Gold Leaf Homes) but Mr. Redmon will not meet with us. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with Mr. Redmon about the ways we can work together to improve the site and protect property values in the area.
Quadvest: Lake Windcrest and Sendera Ranch continue to negotiate with Quadvest about their proposed rate increases.
Web site change: Many thanks to Ken Jennings, our former webmaster, for his numerous volunteer hours spent working on the other website, taking photos and supporting the East 1488 Community Association in so many ways. We’ve outgrown that website but are very grateful to Ken for launching us into the web world.
And thank you new webmaster Steve Lansdowne of Lansdowne Web Design for creating and maintaining our new web site. (www.e1488ca.org )
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