On paper, it appears to be called Royal Pines. On foot, it appears that a more appropriate name would be Vanishing Woods.
Live in a place long enough and you are bound to lose some of the things that attracted you to that area. Today, I discovered contractors clearing land for another new development in Montgomery County. It’s at the north end of West Lake Houston Parkway in Porter, just west of Country Colony. See red oval below.
Contractors are clearing land in the red oval.
In White Oak Creek Watershed
I do not yet have any firm details about the size of the new development or the number of homes. But White Oak Creek will cut just north and east of it.
New development sits in middle of map south of White Oak Creek.White Oak joins Caney Creek (right) and then the East Fork (out of frame, farther right).
Layer After Layer of Ownership
The developer has not yet posted any signs at the entrance to the development. However…
Montgomery County Appraisal District shows that a limited partnership named TC LB Royal Pines LP owns 150 acres at this location.
Royal Pines bought the land from the 1992 Guniganti Credit Shelter Trusts on 12/9/21. The Guniganti family owns the Triple PG sand mine east of the area being cleared.
The Texas Secretary of State shows that the purchaser of the land registered its partnership just two days before the sale. TC LB GP, Inc. in Vancouver, British Columbia, is the general partner of the limited partnership. The general partner is registered in Delaware. However, the MoCo Appraisal District lists the mailing address for tax bills at 8655 S. PRIEST DR., TEMPE, AZ 85284-1903. Google Maps shows a company named Coronado West at that address. The relationship between Coronado West and TC LB Royal Pines LP remains unclear.
The Houston Business Journal ran a story in February about Royal Pines. It said that Ashton Woods Homes (a Starlight Homes subsidiary which targets first-time home buyers), plans to build 350 to 450 homes in the area.
Photos Taken 4/24/22
Contractors have cleared only a small portion of the property to date.
Looking SE toward the northern end of West Lake Houston Parkway, Country Colony, and Royal Brook. A sliver of the Triple PG mine appears in the upper left.Looking east toward WLHP, Country Colony and the Triple PG mine.Without plans, it’s impossible to tell how many trees the developer plans to retain.Some not so royal pines stacked at entrance at north end of West Lake Houston Parkway.
Eyeballing the cleared area, I estimate that contractors have only cleared about about 10-20% of the 150 acres to date. Stay tuned for more news as it becomes available.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/24/22
1699 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/20220424-DJI_0292.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-04-24 19:43:072022-04-24 22:04:08Royal Pines or Vanishing Woods?
Contractors at the controversial mini rent home development called the Preserve at Woodridge Forest flushed a silt-laden detention pond into a stormwater channel leading to Bens Branch this week. The silty water migrated at least two miles downstream. The pictures below show the trail of silt.
On 4/17/22, Easter Sunday, I photographed a full pond and noticed a pump in the upper right (southeast) corner of the pond.
Looking east over Preserve at Woodridge Forest detention pond on Easter Sunday. Note pump in upper rightand pond level.
Three days later, the pump was still going and the pond was nearly empty.
Pump still working on Wednesday.
The ditch between the Preserve and Kingwood Park High School was filled with identically colored water.
Color of water in ditch matches color of water in pond. Note pile of silt in ditch below pump hose in lower left.Looking north past pump and the near-empty detention pond.Equipment apparently cleared paths for northern end of pond to drain toward pump.
Where did all the silty water go?
Bens Branch south of Northpark Drive.One block downstream,Bens Branch at Woodland Hills Drive.Bens Branch at Tree Laneapproximately 2 miles south of construction site.Resident Chris Bloch followed the pollution even farther downstream.
Fish Story
As I photographed the silty water above going down Bens Branch, two young boys with fishing poles came up to me. They looked at the water in disbelief and then looked at me quizzically. “Do you think it’s safe?” they asked.
“Hard to tell,” I said. “It’s runoff from a construction site upstream.”
They left without even dropping a hook into the water or saying a word. Smart kids.
Dangers of Sediment Pollution
The EPA published this brochure that explains some of the dangers of sediment pollution. Among them, it says, “Sediment in stream beds disrupts the natural food chain by destroying the habitat where the smallest stream organisms live and causing massive declines in fish populations. Sediment increases the cost of treating drinking water and can result in odor and taste problems.” Bens Branch empties straight into Lake Houston, the source of drinking water for 2 million people.
Sediment can also clog streams, reducing their carrying capacity. Harris County Flood Control recently cleaned out Bens Branch in a 4-phase project. According to the Kingwood Area Drainage analysis, it had been reduced to a 2-year level of service in places. That means it would flood on a 2-year rain.
No Permit Posted
For these reasons, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality closely monitors construction sites. But the Preserve at Woodridge did not have a TCEQ Construction General Permit posted at the street. This web page seems to indicate they should have one. See Step 5. It says, “Before starting construction, post a copy of the Site Notice at the construction site. Leave the notice posted until construction is completed.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/23/22, with thanks to Chris Bloch for alerting me to the story
1698 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/20220420-DJI_0262.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=17991200adminadmin2022-04-23 15:11:562022-04-23 18:57:29Silty Detention Pond Flushed into Bens Branch
Lake Conroe Association contended that the SJRA’s lake lowering policy amounted to a “taking” of residents’ property.
The City of Houston and SJRA contended that the water at issue did not belong to lakefront homeowners. It belonged to the State of Texas and the City. Therefore, the Lake Conroe Association had no basis for a “takings” claim.
Sources close to the process said that before the matter was heard on appeal, the LCA realized it would never win. So its leaders decided to drop the case and avoid more legal fees.
Clearing the Way for Lake-Lowering Policy to Remain in Effect
This reduces chances of another devastating release that floods downstream residents during a major storm, such as Hurricane Harvey. The SJRA released 79,000 cubic feet per second during Harvey, one third of all the water coming down the West Fork between Humble and Kingwood.
2022 Version of Lake-Lowering Policy is a Compromise
Over time, the SJRA has reduced the amount of lowering in its policy. Currently, the spring lowering is one-half foot below 201 during April and May, the level of the conservation pool in the lake. Originally, it was one full foot below 201. Most people call that the “normal” level. However, the mean level of Lake Conroe is below that about two-thirds of the time. (See last table below.)
Current Lake Conroe Level
Evaporation and low rainfall currently have Lake Conroe at 200.8, or about 3 inches above the new seasonal target level and 3 inches below the conservation pool.
Currently Lake Conroe’s level is at 200.8 feet and the City of Houston (COH) has not called to lower the lake further.
A close reading of the policy reveals that for the lake lowering to begin, the City of Houston must call for the water.
Below-Average Rainfall Has Delayed Need for Spring Release
However, below-average rainfall for the last two months has delayed the need for a spring release from Lake Conroe this year. Much of the state is now in drought.
Montgomery and northern Harris Counties are currently rated as “abnormally dry.”Southern Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties all have “moderate drought.”
Jace Houston, general manager of the SJRA, said, “We haven’t had a big rain in a long time and there’s no significant rain in the foreseeable future. The feeling is that evaporation will soon take the lake down to the target level. The City of Houston must initiate the lowering. If we get a lot of rain, we’ll start releasing again.”
Time for Healing
In addition to reducing the spring lake lowering, the 2022 policy lowers Lake Conroe to 200.5 in August and 200 in September – both a half foot higher than the original policy.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/LC-Dam-e1719277556742.jpg?fit=1200%2C549&ssl=15491200adminadmin2022-04-22 15:48:402022-05-20 12:56:47Case Finally Closed on Lake Conroe Association Lawsuit against City, SJRA
Royal Pines or Vanishing Woods?
On paper, it appears to be called Royal Pines. On foot, it appears that a more appropriate name would be Vanishing Woods.
Live in a place long enough and you are bound to lose some of the things that attracted you to that area. Today, I discovered contractors clearing land for another new development in Montgomery County. It’s at the north end of West Lake Houston Parkway in Porter, just west of Country Colony. See red oval below.
In White Oak Creek Watershed
I do not yet have any firm details about the size of the new development or the number of homes. But White Oak Creek will cut just north and east of it.
Layer After Layer of Ownership
The developer has not yet posted any signs at the entrance to the development. However…
Montgomery County Appraisal District shows that a limited partnership named TC LB Royal Pines LP owns 150 acres at this location.
Royal Pines bought the land from the 1992 Guniganti Credit Shelter Trusts on 12/9/21. The Guniganti family owns the Triple PG sand mine east of the area being cleared.
The Texas Secretary of State shows that the purchaser of the land registered its partnership just two days before the sale. TC LB GP, Inc. in Vancouver, British Columbia, is the general partner of the limited partnership. The general partner is registered in Delaware. However, the MoCo Appraisal District lists the mailing address for tax bills at 8655 S. PRIEST DR., TEMPE, AZ 85284-1903. Google Maps shows a company named Coronado West at that address. The relationship between Coronado West and TC LB Royal Pines LP remains unclear.
The Houston Business Journal ran a story in February about Royal Pines. It said that Ashton Woods Homes (a Starlight Homes subsidiary which targets first-time home buyers), plans to build 350 to 450 homes in the area.
Photos Taken 4/24/22
Contractors have cleared only a small portion of the property to date.
Eyeballing the cleared area, I estimate that contractors have only cleared about about 10-20% of the 150 acres to date. Stay tuned for more news as it becomes available.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/24/22
1699 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
Silty Detention Pond Flushed into Bens Branch
Contractors at the controversial mini rent home development called the Preserve at Woodridge Forest flushed a silt-laden detention pond into a stormwater channel leading to Bens Branch this week. The silty water migrated at least two miles downstream. The pictures below show the trail of silt.
On 4/17/22, Easter Sunday, I photographed a full pond and noticed a pump in the upper right (southeast) corner of the pond.
Three days later, the pump was still going and the pond was nearly empty.
The ditch between the Preserve and Kingwood Park High School was filled with identically colored water.
Where did all the silty water go?
Fish Story
As I photographed the silty water above going down Bens Branch, two young boys with fishing poles came up to me. They looked at the water in disbelief and then looked at me quizzically. “Do you think it’s safe?” they asked.
“Hard to tell,” I said. “It’s runoff from a construction site upstream.”
They left without even dropping a hook into the water or saying a word. Smart kids.
Dangers of Sediment Pollution
The EPA published this brochure that explains some of the dangers of sediment pollution. Among them, it says, “Sediment in stream beds disrupts the natural food chain by destroying the habitat where the smallest stream organisms live and causing massive declines in fish populations. Sediment increases the cost of treating drinking water and can result in odor and taste problems.” Bens Branch empties straight into Lake Houston, the source of drinking water for 2 million people.
Sediment can also clog streams, reducing their carrying capacity. Harris County Flood Control recently cleaned out Bens Branch in a 4-phase project. According to the Kingwood Area Drainage analysis, it had been reduced to a 2-year level of service in places. That means it would flood on a 2-year rain.
No Permit Posted
For these reasons, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality closely monitors construction sites. But the Preserve at Woodridge did not have a TCEQ Construction General Permit posted at the street. This web page seems to indicate they should have one. See Step 5. It says, “Before starting construction, post a copy of the Site Notice at the construction site. Leave the notice posted until construction is completed.”
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/23/22, with thanks to Chris Bloch for alerting me to the story
1698 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
Case Finally Closed on Lake Conroe Association Lawsuit against City, SJRA
In April, 2021, a Montgomery County District Court dismissed the Lake Conroe Association’s lawsuit against the City of Houston for its Lake Lowering Policy. In August 2021, the court dismissed the same case against the SJRA with prejudice. The Lake Conroe Association (LCA) and several Lake Conroe residents appealed the decisions.
Then on April 20, 2022, LCA and the other appellants asked that the Court dismiss their appeal. Neither the City, nor SJRA, opposed the motion. Three judges of the Ninth District Court of Appeals in Beaumont then unanimously dismissed the appeal. Case closed.
“Takings” Claim Disputed
Lake Conroe Association contended that the SJRA’s lake lowering policy amounted to a “taking” of residents’ property.
The City of Houston and SJRA contended that the water at issue did not belong to lakefront homeowners. It belonged to the State of Texas and the City. Therefore, the Lake Conroe Association had no basis for a “takings” claim.
Sources close to the process said that before the matter was heard on appeal, the LCA realized it would never win. So its leaders decided to drop the case and avoid more legal fees.
Clearing the Way for Lake-Lowering Policy to Remain in Effect
This clears the way for the SJRA’s seasonal lake lowering policy to remain in effect during construction of additional floodgates on the Lake Houston Dam. The policy helps ensure that extra “storage capacity” (parking space for water) remains in Lake Conroe during the rainiest months in spring and the peak of hurricane season.
This reduces chances of another devastating release that floods downstream residents during a major storm, such as Hurricane Harvey. The SJRA released 79,000 cubic feet per second during Harvey, one third of all the water coming down the West Fork between Humble and Kingwood.
However, as time went by, Lake Conroe residents became upset with the policy. That led to a contentious confrontation between upstream and downstream residents, as well as the lawsuit.
2022 Version of Lake-Lowering Policy is a Compromise
Over time, the SJRA has reduced the amount of lowering in its policy. Currently, the spring lowering is one-half foot below 201 during April and May, the level of the conservation pool in the lake. Originally, it was one full foot below 201. Most people call that the “normal” level. However, the mean level of Lake Conroe is below that about two-thirds of the time. (See last table below.)
Current Lake Conroe Level
Evaporation and low rainfall currently have Lake Conroe at 200.8, or about 3 inches above the new seasonal target level and 3 inches below the conservation pool.
A close reading of the policy reveals that for the lake lowering to begin, the City of Houston must call for the water.
Below-Average Rainfall Has Delayed Need for Spring Release
However, below-average rainfall for the last two months has delayed the need for a spring release from Lake Conroe this year. Much of the state is now in drought.
Jace Houston, general manager of the SJRA, said, “We haven’t had a big rain in a long time and there’s no significant rain in the foreseeable future. The feeling is that evaporation will soon take the lake down to the target level. The City of Houston must initiate the lowering. If we get a lot of rain, we’ll start releasing again.”
Time for Healing
In addition to reducing the spring lake lowering, the 2022 policy lowers Lake Conroe to 200.5 in August and 200 in September – both a half foot higher than the original policy.
Hopefully, this compromise will help upstream and downstream residents live together now that the lawsuit has been dismissed. It’s time for some healing.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/22/2022
1697 Days since Hurricane Harvey