Citizens For Missouri City's Future

Missouri City Files Eminent Domain

Missouri City Didn't Make an Idle Threat Either!

MISSOURI CITY FILES EMINENT DOMAIN PROCEEDING FOR QVCC PROPERTIES
Process to Acquire Property Has Begun

On Monday, March 24, 2008, the City of Missouri City filed an eminent domain proceeding in Fort Bend County Court at Law #4 against Quail Valley Country Club, L.P., seeking to acquire title to the Quail Valley Country Club properties. The lawsuit was filed after the City’s efforts to negotiate a purchase of the property failed.

The next step in the process will be for the Court to appoint three landowners living in the county to serve as special commissioners. The special commissioners will then schedule a hearing to hear evidence and determine the fair market value of the properties.

Earlier this year, a citizen group serving as the Quail Valley Feasibility Study Committee overwhelming supported the City’s acquisition of the QVCC for use as public park and recreation space. On March 3, 2008, City Council passed a resolution authorizing the City’s attorneys to file eminent domain proceedings if the City’s efforts to negotiate a purchase were unsuccessful.

The City plans to use the 390 acres of property as public park and recreation space and to preserve it as green space for the benefit of the public. The preservation of this important community asset is consistent with the City’s 2005 Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the property’s existing zoning classification. It will provide park and recreation opportunities to the citizens of Missouri City in the geographic center of the City consistent with its adopted 2007 Parks Master Plan. Finally, having this property under public management will provide the City with additional options for managing storm water drainage.

For more on what this means, see our story, Not an Idle Threat.

(See: The Texas Landowner’s Bill of Rights). 

TIRZ: Is that a bad disease?

No it's not a disease, but it could influence your property values and property tax rates long term. We're not experts in TIRZ so we did some research to take a position on an important city issue and financing tool . . . so here are our findings and some answers to your questions why we support the Fort Bend Tollway/Sienna Town Center TIRZ # 2.

Become Part of the Solution

It's easy to start to accept that things have been this way for so long that nothing can be done.

 The time for revitalization and not being bunkered into our individual subdivisions has come. As part of that, our Future Group is calling on Homeowner Associations, working with the Missouri City Business Alliance and various other civic groups to make a positive future. In tandem with Missouri City efforts, collectively all of us are stronger than just a few.

Residents and business owners near Cartwright and Texas Parkway have an opportunity to re-shape our future in an organized and orderly fashion. The study engaged by Missouri City and conducted by George Johnson Development Company partnered with Civic Design Associates is starting. They are holding a town hall planning meeting to get YOUR IDEAS for the future on March 25 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Community Center at 1524 Texas Parkway.

What is your vision of how our community along Texas Parkway and Cartwright should look and feel? What kind of shopping, services and businesses would you as a resident support?

We have a special commenting section with thoughts to jump start  your  imagination.

Jump start the process now. You can comment below so we can spark off the ideas of others. There are only two rules for posts to be accepted:

1. Comments must be positive. For example, if you don't like the way a current area looks, describe how you'd like it to look.
2. Comments must be future oriented. We can't change the past. We can re-shape the future.

For idea starters. Or you can comment below.

PS. I'm dreaming about an urban village where I can walk or ride a bike to shop, play, meet friends or make news ones! This place has tree-lined trails that connect homes to shopping and entertainment. What are yours?

Become part of the solution! We support the Texas Parkway / Cartwright Corridor revitalization process.

For more info on the session published by Missouri City .

Or download the flier.Download missouricity_poster_final.pdf

A way to stay informed and involved. If you are a Missouri City resident and support economic development, investing in quality of life and raising property values, join the growing group of residents who support us.

 

City Council Unanimously Approves Quail Valley Property Purchase

Council woman Eunice Reiter moved to adopt the following resolution:

    A resolution of the City Council of The City of Missouri City, Texas, making certain findings concerning the Quail Valley Country Club properties; determining that those properties are needed for public use for Parks and Recreation facilities; authorizing and directing the City Manager to make a final offer to the owners of the properties; and authorizing and directing the City Attorney or her designee to bring eminent domain proceedings to acquire the properties.

Councilwoman Reiter amended this resolution to read "in accordance with the Citizen's Committee Recommendations."

The motion was seconded by Barbara Gibson and passed.

After much citizen input and study, the City based its decision on the future of Missouri City.

The City cited it will be able to acquire ownership of a 400 acre green space with a very modest or no net increase in residential property taxes as a result of an increasing commercial property tax base; and an increase in residential property values.

Alternatively, failure to acquire the property would likely have the opposite results over time to include:

• The loss of a 400 acre green space;

• An increase in residential property tax rates as a result of a loss in tax revenues from declining property values and from a lack of growth of the commercial property tax base; and

• A decrease in residential property values.

A continual divestiture and abandonment of Quail Valley Country Club property and its uses brought about the City's acquisition interest to prevent the further loss of green space and park lands. 

As a result of acquisition, the City will have the opportunity to:

• Resurrect the inactive properties
  
• Maintain them in accordance with city standards
  
• Revitalize the associated recreational and park uses 
  
• Make the properties available to the public as a whole and preserve this important community asset

Now the process begins! We applaud the proactive stance by City Council.