Houston Planning Commission MTFP Workshop – August 20, 2026

The Houston Planning Commission convened at 1:03 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at City Hall Annex, 900 Bagby Street, for a workshop on the 2026 Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (MTFP) amendments. Chair Lisa Clark presided, with 15 members present, establishing a quorum. Director Von Tran provided the staff report. The meeting was informational; no action was taken on any item. The commission will act on the seven proposed amendments at its September 3, 2026 meeting, after which recommendations will go to City Council by September 30, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 1:47 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During discussion of Amendment 3G (Coastal Prairie Conservancy), multiple speakers expressed support for the proposed amendments:
  • Mary Ann Piacantini, President and CEO of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, said the organization has worked for over 30 years to protect land, and noted the conservancy did not request deletion of roads not on protected land. She cited flood mitigation, water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreation benefits.
  • CJ Luke, a landowner, said his family and the Walter family own about 2,200 acres and want to preserve wildlife. He stated all landowners in the 12,000–13,000 acre area do not want roads through the property.
  • Jerry Young, general counsel for Waller County Land and Cattle/Tucker family, said they own approximately 7,100 acres, about half in conservancy, and fully support the Coastal Prairie Conservancy recommendations.
  • Todd Keeling, a fourth-generation farmer/rancher, said roads would disrupt wildlife, including bald eagles, and harm youth programs like Boy Scouts.
  • Elisa Donovan, Vice President and General Counsel for the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, argued that conserved lands will never be developed and that waiting reduces future transportation alternatives. She said existing corridors such as Katie Hockley Road, FM 529, and FM 362 should be evaluated instead.
• No public comment was offered during the separate public comment period at the end of the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Amendment 2A – Gulfston Connector Busway Project (Metro): Staff recommended support for reclassifying Golfton Street from major thoroughfare to transit corridor street (Chimney Rock Road to Hillcroft Avenue) and Hillcroft Avenue from principal thoroughfare to transit corridor street (Golfton Street to Bissinet Street). The proposed 4.1-mile dedicated busway would include seven stations linking the West Park Lower Uptown Transit Center to Bayland Park. No written comments were received.

• Amendment 3B – Barker Cypress (RGEA Engineering): Staff did not support the request to delete an approximately 9,873-foot unimproved segment of Barker Cypress Road (between Grand Parkway and Grant Road) and a 3,326-foot unnamed North–South Minor Collector (between proposed Boudreaux Road and Kittsman Road). Staff and Harris County maintain the segments are needed for regional circulation; coordination is ongoing.

• Amendment 3C – Kerrmeer Road (Meta): Chair Lisa Clark recused herself from this item and Amendment 3D; Vice Chair Garza presided. Staff review was ongoing for the proposed deletion of a 5,200-foot unimproved segment of Kerrmeer Road (between Baith Road and Becca Road). The applicant, Jennifer Curtis of Meta Planning and Design, said coordination with staff was progressing and thanked staff.

• Amendment 3D – Mason Road (Meta): Staff supported a realignment of Mason Road between FM 529 and West Little York, citing mapping errors and an impractical 460-foot jog near FM 529. The realignment would avoid the widest portion of the Bear Creek floodway and reduce bridge construction costs. Harris County had no objection. No written comments were received.

• Amendment 3E – Southridge Road (Meta): Staff did not support the deletion of an approximately 4,850-foot minor collector between Ella Boulevard and Kirkendall Road. Applicant Jennifer Curtis reported that Spring ISD had verbally supported the deletion and would provide a written letter; the applicant was considering alternative alignments proposed by Harris County. The site is a proposed 321-acre light industrial development.

• Amendment 3F – Vicksburg Boulevard (BGE): Staff supported deletion of an approximately 1,700-foot unimproved segment south of McHard Road. Physical constraints include a television antenna farm; Fort Bend County removed Vicksburg Boulevard from its thoroughfare plan in April 2025. Houston Public Works and Fort Bend County expressed no objection.

• Amendment 3G – Coastal Prairie Conservancy: Staff supported the request to reclassify, realign, and delete all major thoroughfares within the Conservancy's approximately 20,000-acre protected area along the Waller–Harris County line. About three-fourths of the tract lies within the Houston–Harris County ETJ. Staff noted numerous written comments in support, including from City Council Member Sally Alkorn, while Harris and Waller Counties objected due to ongoing transportation studies. Commissioner questions focused on coordination with county studies and emergency access; staff indicated counties could propose future amendments after their studies conclude.

Key Outcomes

• No formal action was taken; the meeting was a workshop.
• Staff will continue coordinating with applicants, Harris County, Waller County, and other agencies before the September 3, 2026 action meeting.
• The Planning Commission will make recommendations on each amendment at the September 3 meeting, to be forwarded to City Council for action by September 30, 2026.