commercial development guidelines Archives

Since my last post on the Laurel Springs RV Resort, contractors have erected approximately 2000 feet of chain link fence, much of it within feet of Laurel Springs Lane. Exxon Land Development Commercial Development Guidelines generally prohibited chain link fencing except in rare instances where the fence was “not visible from the street or adjacent property.” See Section II-9-3 Screen Walls and Fencing and the pictures below.

*Chain link fence along Laurel Springs Lane*. *Looking north. Photo taken 2/26.*

*Chain link fence between Edgewater Park and RV Park*.

Because Exxon never owned this property, it was not subject to the deed restrictions that apply to Kingwood. So I’m not alleging anything illegal. However, the developer has disregarded community norms. Those deed restrictions give the Kingwood Area its distinctive character. Disregarding them has not endeared the developer to neighbors.

Other “Improvements”

The developer also made several other “improvements” in the last few days. He has:

Removed more trees
Brought in more dirt to raise the property even higher above Lakewood Cove
Approximately doubled the area covered by concrete
Finally erected a silt fence on the west side by the utility corridor, five months into construction
Hydroseeded the south bank of the detention pond and northern part of Edgewater Park where they cut down trees…after severe erosion caused Harris County to threaten a lawsuit.

However, there still appears to be no effort to replant the trees they cut in Edgewater Park. Nor have they placed permanent pumps to drain the retention pond; they’re still attempting to do that with portable pumps.

Photos Taken 3/28/2022

Here’s how the site looked tonight.

*The amount of concrete virtually doubled. They poured the dark gray area in the foreground last Saturday.* *A swimming pool will go between the concrete and the building under construction.*

*More downed trees litter the northern part of the property. Trucks have been bringing in more dirt to fill in low spots which became apparent after last week’s 2″ rain.*

*The developer finally erected silt fence along the western perimeter after the TCEQ report became public last Saturday.*

*That blue/green material is called hydromulch, also referred to as hydro seeding. Looking SE toward Edgewater Park.*

*Looking E toward Lakewood Cove and Laurel Springs Lane* *as crews finish spraying for the day.*

*The hydroseeding crews were pulling silty water from the detention pond to mix with their material*, *even as portable pumps attempt to drain the pond before the next rain* *arrives tomorrow night.*

More about Hydroseeding

Contractors use hydroseeding to stabilize slopes and accelerate the germination of grass which can reduce erosion. Water, seed, and nutrients are mixed into a gelatinous material and sprayed onto the ground. The gelatin adheres to slopes and retains just enough moisture to help the seed take root. We should see grass start to grow within 5-10 days. Crews add colored dye to the mix to make it easier to see. That helps them spray it evenly.

Should Have Hydroseeded Earlier

After the a five-inch rain in January, the south wall of the detention pond started slumping into Edgewater Park. Sediment several inches deep fanned out into the wetlands of Edgewater for approximately 150 yards, according to the TCEQ. And Harris County issued its cease-and-desist letter threatening the developer with a lawsuit. Since then, the developer has spent much of the last month trying to move the pond wall back onto his own property. I imagine the contractor now wishes he would have hydro seeded earlier.

Chain Link Fence Disregards Community Norms

Assuming surveyors were accurate, the chain link fence should now identify the southern boundary of the RV resort. However, given the history of this project, that could be a big assumption.

Thankfully, at least the chain link fence does not have razor wire on top of it. Regardless, it has all the charm of the prison in Huntsville.

While you review the Commercial Development Guidelines on fencing, scan the rest of the guidelines, too. Especially the ones that talk about setbacks, construction fencing, parking, tree preservation and more. They will give you a greater appreciation for the care taken by thousands who came before the Laurel Springs RV Resort.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 3/28/2022

1672 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.

Someone must have forgotten to tell the developers of the proposed high-rise development. Friendswood Development Company’s Commercial Development Guidelines prohibit buildings taller than 60 feet in Kingwood. Romerica Investments, LLC hopes to build multiple 250 to 500 foot buildings. They would exceed the maximum building-height requirements by 4X to 8X.

Section 2-13: Building Height

Section 2-13 of the guidelines, states, “Building height within master planned residential communities is limited by the use and location in each community as provided for in the deed. When the site is immediately adjacent to single family resident construction, the maximum building height is limited to thirty-five (35) feet at a point twenty-five (25) feet back from the property line. The building height may increase from that point at a 1:1 ratio to a maximum height of sixty (60) feet.”

The proposed development would surround the Barrington. It would also face Deer Cove, Trailwood and Kingwood Lakes.

*Map of the proposed high-rise development in relation to surrounding residential subdivisions.*

The development fronts another single family residential structure, too – on the east.

*Eagle’s nest on 16th hole of Kingwood Country Club’s Island Course.*

Benefits of Master Planned Community

Like many people, I moved to a master-planned residential community to avoid the specter of a high-rise building in my back yard. Friendswood Development Company actively sold their deed restrictions and development guidelines as a defense against that.

When I built my building opposite Kingwood Park High School in the late 1990’s, I had to abide by these restrictions like everyone else.

*Friendswood Development’s Commercial Development Guidelines, Page II-13*

Romerica Investments, LLC markets their proposal as the KINGWOOD Marina Resort. Have the rules suddenly changed?

To download the complete Friendswood Development Company Commercial Guidelines, click here.

As always, these are my opinions on matters of public interest and they are protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP statute of the Great State of Texas.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 1/16/2019

505 Days since Hurricane Harvey

Tag Archive for: commercial development guidelines

Chain Link Fencing at Laurel Springs RV Resort Would Not Meet Exxon Land Development Commercial Guidelines