JustinUther

Yeah, I guess your right about that. Maybe they have a good idea there. Instead of wholy funding a project like this from property owners, spread the cost by also using sales tax that the city collects.

Again...it's not just a football stadium...

This is a high school football stadium. http://kylgrafx.com/rebs/grandecomm.htm There is a baseball stadium next to it for the Midland RockHounds.

Big difference? Yes. The Berry Center has capability for additional instructional support roles. It is not just a benefit to the sports programs.

I am really dissatisfied at this route configuration. Small cities and military bases should not matter.

Actually I was going to suggest extending the line from College Station North-West to Abilene then West to Midland/Odessa and El Paso. Downtown Abilene is practically on the existing railroad and Midland International Airport would be the best choice there due to the central location between Midland and Odessa.

If there were a

I think this is a great idea. If done right it would encourage people to live where they, humm... "live". It would be great if we could all be more local. Maybe buy our groceries from the corner store within walking distance instead of the Giant-Super-Everything store 5 miles away. People are getting tired of driving an hour or more to get to and from work, maybe something like this will catch on and open some eyes to local businesses that are hiring. We all need a little slowing down and actually enjoying life for a change.

That's one of the reasons I've considered coughing up the money to add the blog feature to HAIF. I thought that maybe if people had a more personal place where they felt more comfortable expressing themselves in long-form they might write more. But only a handful of people have expressed interest in the feature.

HAIF is a great place to view and share information and opinions about anything in and around Houston. I lurked here for quite some time before creating an account and still do more lurking than posting. Sorry, guess I'm part of the problem at times. It does allow us to see if there is anyone that shares our point-of-view and gives the oppertunity to chime in on those threads that are important to us.

Editor, PLEASE don't add a blog to HAIF. As it is now I can go to view and use the forum but my company's IT department screens and blocks blogs. Adding the blog would shut me out, almost completely.

Funny, I always thought that would be a good central location for Town Hall.

Not that it really matters that much it was just a thought. The property owner will do whatever they want. Without any zoning or archetectual controls it will always be a free-for-all.

(yeah i'm still here, just been lurking for awhile)

However, I must concede that paying an extra $130 per year in school taxes (on a $200,000 home) sounds a lot better than paying $6 parking at Reliant Stadium once. It is math skills like these that allow CFISD board members to float $80 million stadiums by the voters.

You know it isn't the $6 spent on parking. It is really about the cost and inconvenience related to the whole trip. Fueling up the truck (mini-van, SUV - whatever it isn

OK I like the sports programs. I have a son that participates and I think it is good to give kids something to keep them out of trouble and to build character. But spending our money on school programs needs to be more balanced. We need remember the core classes and also keep in mind those kids who aren't into sports.

We should spend some money on other things besides athletics. Maybe the CFISD School Board could ask us if we want to pay teachers more. Equipment for science classrooms, instruments for the band and orchestra, large up-to-date auditoriums for the music programs and drama to perform in, buy books and computers for the libraries and fund trips for the foreign language students.

I don't mind paying some extra taxes when it goes to a good cause but we should also share this opportunity to contribute with those who haven't decided to settle down and buy property. Maybe raise a 1/2 penny sales tax to pay this and reduce the amount that I'll be required to pay in taxes.

Some of these bandit signs are very nice. Made of solid wood with molding, etc. Not just a cheap ole stick sign.

I've always wanted to take a chainsaw to the big ones.

Someone actually did. There was a big well built sign as you approach the corner of Telge and 290 heading NW. It was probably the actual property ownerthat cut it down. Whoever it was cut both the 4x4 posts about midway up so that the top part of the sign rested upside down and backwards for weeks. I think that like the "illegal sign" stickers, allowing the sign to be seen there was a message being sent to all. From the property owners to those who had seen it, the message was "we didn't endorse this".

I agree! This will be a great opportunity to showcase the finest Highschool football stadium in the country! It is so fine my sister and her husband sold their house in Fairfield and have moved themselves and 4 girls into Houston so they could go to schools that concentrate their resources on education instead of football stadiums. I understand football stadiums rank supreme with you but others have lesser priorities-like education.

I've actually been thinking of moving also. I haven't lived in Midland for almost 20 years but I'm looking seriously at it. I think ALL the schools in the Houston area are about twice a big as they should be. I went to Midland Lee in the late 80's and I know what High School Football rivalry is like. (Think Friday Night Lights, I was there when that book was written.) I also think I knew just about everyone in the school. I don't think we quite had 400 students in each graduating class. I know in the schools here it is too easy to fall through the cracks and get lost in the crowd. So bring on the sports, these programs bring kids together, build spirit and a feeling of community of belonging to something bigger than yourself. When you have a winning football team the enthusiasm spills out to other areas. The school's other sports teams, competing band and orchestra programs and even the academics display winning attitudes. You take anyone and build their confidence to the point that they expect themselves to do well and you will get kids who push themselves to meet that expectation.

"Aside from the programs' success and rivalry, one of the main attractions will undoubtedly be Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie. The 5-11, 185-pound junior rushed for 3,121 yards and 43 touchdowns last season"

3121 yards and 43 TDs? I don't follow high school football but those stats seem near incredible.

My sons go to Cy-Fair and yeah he's amazing to watch.

I drive by that new Park and Ride all the time. It looks to me that it is all going to be west of the HP facility. I am glad to see that place being used for something, even if it isn't permanent. Something I don't see either on location or on the plans is an elevated connection to 290. To really get serious about this P&R there should be some plan to extend the HOV.

Define your idea. Study it. Seek input from existing organizations. Seek input from the City of Houston--don't worry, they won't blow your cover. Prepare a presentation and give it to a large crowd of prospective constituents. Lose the rhetoric.

Wow. That is the first time I've seen anyone say that and it is such an obvious thing to do. If you want to attempt something that you haven't done before, ask someone who is already doing it. Some people on these boards are just afraid of annexation by Houston. The COH has many other things going on right now I would be quite surprised if it was inclined to expand so far north-west now, especially on the scale of the mussings tossed around here. We can approach this by telling ourselves that they would have no reason not to assist but >playing devils advocate here now> it begs the question, "Why would the COH help to establish the City of Cypress?"

Speaking about the MUD/Water District taxes, I have taken a look at some of the subdivisions in and around the area that we are calling Cypress. You may be surprised by what I have found. I expected to see the newer areas having higher rates than the older areas but it doesn't appear that it is the deciding factor. Lakewood is actually lower than Enchanted Valley. We may find that these older neighborhoods will actually welcome the idea of sharing the costs with the newer subdivisions. (I know I would).

Riata Ranch - .79(MUD)

Fairfield .72(MUD) + .29(WCID) <- ouch!

Enchanted Valley .75(WCID)

Bonaire .45(MUD)

Lakewood .41(MUD)

Glencairn .345(PUD)

CFISD has Opal Hamilton Middle School and Fred and Louise Hamilton Elementary school. They are right down the street from each other on Grant Rd.

http://schools.cfisd.net/hamiltonel/profile_hami.htm

http://schools.cfisd.net/hamilton/profile_hamims.htm

Wow! Where did this oppressiveness come from? First we have red light cameras installed. Supposedly, they are there to create a safer motoring environment but we all know it is to make the city money. Now some of you guys say that we should put speed cameras on our roads too. I don't see how this is necessary.

If it is a small camera mounted on the mast arm or signal pole, pointed towards oncoming traffic across the intersection, it's a VIVDS (Video Image Vehicle Detection System) camera, which replaces the inductive loops cut into the pavement. These cameras do not have the resolution to ever be used for automated red light running enforcement.

It they were mounted on the traffic light poles then they are probably not red-light cameras.

OK, that's good information. I guess these are actually some VIVDS cameras since they are pointing at the traffic coming in to the intersection.

It is unfortunate that we should have to worry about these cameras at all. From reports that I have read online (google it and you will find many for and against) I get the impression that cities using cameras for traffic code enforcement have actually increased the number of intersection accidents. Normal law-abiding citizens are coming to sudden unsafe stops to avoid a ticket and causing more accidents than normal.

Is it a camera for 290?

No, they are on the signals at the feeder intersections and the one at Huffmeister and Hempstead Hwy.

I just noticed this morning, as I was waiting for traffic to inch forward, that there are cameras on the traffic lights at the intersections of Huffmeister and 290 and also Huffmeister and Hempstead Highway. If I'm not mistaken these are Red Light Cameras. Who's issuing tickets on these? It looks like Houston is using their athority from the LPA for these cameras. What do yopu think about this?

I copied this from the "Cypress city limits" [sic] thread. I added the emphisis on what I think are the most important parts.

QUOTE(mrfootball @ Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 @ 4:28pm) Benefits of Incorporation:

1) Community Identity - there are too many benefits here to list.

2) Provide a Voice/Advocate for the Community's interests

a) Transportation issues (Metro, planning, etc)

b ) Education and Investment (i.e. UH's failed NW Harris County campus bid - stronger voice for area interests, with the ability to create incentives to attract investment and other worthwhile things that benefit the community).

c) Quality of Life (i.e. Greenspaces, Parks, Trees, Crime, Pollution, etc), having a stronger voice when it comes to receiving funding/appropriations from a State/Federal level. Having people who are more 'invested' in the area's long term outlook, creating value for the residents.

3) Land Use Issues (i.e. stricter zoning and development controls, enforced landscape regulations - Harris County has them, but they do not enforce...add to that the glut of empty shopping centers, etc.) It's no secret that developers will do the least amount of work necessary to satisfy the lax requirements made of them by Harris County. After awhile it tends to show. Rather than being the 'low-fruit' on the tree, attracting half-ass developers looking to make a quick buck and get out, we can enforce standards and regulations that will ensure the area's long-term value, instituting smarter land use controls. (this is nothing new, this is what most cities & towns do).

4) Signage Issues (i.e. flashing LED signs, billboards, varying heights and setbacks, bandit signs, etc)

5) Accountability. Most people in unincorporated Harris County have no idea how to get anything done at the County level...what's worse, County services aren't designed to be very user-friendly so if you've got a complaint about something, it's rare you'll get much follow through. Harris County is huge, and we've got a Precinct System that is ill-equipped to handle the needs of the communities they serve. Add to that, the disjointed and meandering boundaries of the precincts make no geographic sense. I suppose an alternative to incorporation would be Precincts that represent each sub-region of town (ie. West Houston, Cy-Fair, Spring, Kingwood, etc?) that have ordinance powers...As it is now, they don't. Do they each have to be so big and cumbersome? Having a small local gov't where local citizens are elected and look out for their community is one of the most basic and fundamental forms of gov't - why shouldn't we be allowed to have this?

6) Community Development (things like Libraries, Museums, etc). Cypress lies on the 'split' between Precinct 3 and Precinct 4, so our community voice is watered down on the County Precinct level. Having our own City, means that Cypress looks out for Cypress, ensuring that we get more of our money returned to us in terms of services and amenities.

Benefits of Incorporation:

b ) Education and Investment (i.e. UH's failed NW Harris County campus bid - stronger voice for area interests, with the ability to create incentives to attract investment and other worthwhile things that benefit the community).

Hey! We voted in favor of aligning with NHMCCD http://www.nhmccd.edu/ not long ago. Take a look at Cy-Fair College. UH and TAMU are both about the same drive from 290 and Telge (close to my definition of the center of Cypress). One has a greater distance and the other has the traffic. My wife actually decided that TAMU made more sense and made the drive to College Station several times a week rather than sitting in Houston traffic. I think it would be great to have a major university here but this is a step in the right direction.

Oh and thanks for reminding me. We also approved a bond to build the Berry Center on that same ballot which is a good example of the sensibilities of the area residents. Residents are not wholly opposed to raising taxes but there must be some tangible benefit. Taxes may not be such an obstacle after all.

I like the fact that you are solution-oriented in attempting to resolving a possible question. Yet, can the question exist, if in reality the area of Cypress is already legally claimed by Houston? Or are we staying theoretical here?

My main point in all of this is that Houston has not legally claimed Cypress (or the area east of Katy or south of Tomball either) but by the existence of the ETJ it has the option to grow into these areas and it has not. I think this is a disservice to the residents in these areas. Either due to the financial burden or the impact on the political geography COH has demonstrated that it doesn't want to wholly annex areas outside the city limits. But COH does see the advantage to collecting sales taxes in these areas by the use of LPA's in the commercial areas. Take another look at the MTFP map. Granted, the argument is that COH splits the profit with MUD's that they have these agreements with. By the way, these LPA's do have an expiration date and the MUD does not have to renew the contract at that time. There is legal and then there is right and wrong.

And yes I think at this point we are staying theoretical at this time. My thread on pro's and con's was started to explore the concept. I hear grumblings form my neighbors and some from posters on this site so I thought I'd ask. I was happy enough living in Harris County and outside Houston's city limits until I found out about LPA's.

Also, I would never presume that people would want to be incorporated. I am presently fine with the idea that I live in an unincorporated part of Harris Co. ... Furthermore, I would not count on the populace to define (via opinions?) the area that would be the re-incorporated city. This would be like herding cats, but perhaps I misunderstood what you wrote.

I think that would be a good idea that could be done easily - ask the populace.

We can assume several things here such as the fact that most people will reject raising their taxes. We think, based on the conversation here and listening to the grumblings of our neighbors, that most home owners do want zoning of some fashion. Many would like to have some local law enforcement that can and will actually do something about bandit signs. Residents are asking for someone to take complaints to, maybe it is time for some local government. But really, how do we know unless we ask?

I propose that we set up a poll. Distribute the poll either to the HOA's to further disseminate to their residents or directly thru the home address to the resident property owner. (Notice the specification that the property owner is also a resident of the area under consideration and we do not take opinions from long distance landlords or their renters.) Ask questions about relevant issues that a municipality would address. Then we can use the results to see which areas are in favor of incorporation and which ones are not. This can not be a one question poll. "Are you in favor of incorporation? - Y/N", would automatically cause people to assume that it is a simple question of taking money from them or not. We can see that by the discussion here so far that the question is far from being that simple. The questions will have to be varied enough to get a good idea of what people feel is important to them.

You know the more I read in these boards the more I like the way you think Niche.

We need to have something that works. When I first moved back to Texas I had an impulse to drive from Houston to Abilene to visit family for Thanksgiving Dinner. Of course Mapquest directed me to go up I-45 to I-20. That was a dumb idea (Yeah, I can admit when I have those.) I got so frustrated with sitting in traffic that I called my Dad to tell him that I was just going to stay in town. I know that you don't think we need any west of I-35 but I'm sure that if we can get the major arteries built then we can branch out. The cities that are being served will find a way to connect either publicly or privately. So tell everyone to quit lollygagging and "Let's move some people!". Leave the roads to the freight hauling tractor trailers.

I just read this thread and noticed an idea that someone else mentioned that I think would work well - trains that carry cars. Actually I was driving north on I-95 once and read billbords advertising this same concept. If the high speed trains were built with this in mind then one could drive onto the train in Houston, sit in a safe air-conditioned compartment (not in the car they drove in on) and drive off in DFW. It would put a new spin on going to watch the Cowboys/Texans game. I bet the airlines and rental car companies would hate this idea. I have traveled quite a bit and have been on trains in The UK, Japan and Continental Europe and while their system works for them, as Texans I doubt we'll ever give up our percieved freedom of private vehicular transportation. Really, a Texan will drive accross the street before being seperated from his truck (yeah truck), nobody walks anywhere. (I know, I do it too.)

Actually, I ride a motorcycle just about everywhere. I can't pass up 44+ mpg. But you know it is true, we don't walk. And most people I know that come here from out of state can't help but comment on the fact that most "cars" on the road here are pick-ups and SUV's.

I am not trying to be difficult here, but the map that you linked was just the various school districts.

We should be looking at the map (MTFP) that you previously mentioned as a realistic starter for discussion of what could Cypress be.

Oh, I know. I just thought that the map showing the school districts was nice to have because it is the first one I've seen. Tomball ISD doesn't show a map on their website but instead lists the subdivisions served. Cy-Fair ISD does show a map but it is kind of vague. This map shows the lines and we can see the detail down to the street level.

I agree that we should be using the most accurate resources available to base this exercise on. There is the MTFP, Key map, ZIP code maps and, also now, planning maps that developers have published on their websites to describe new construction that we should take into consideration when talking about these areas that are quite ill-defined.