Keep Manvel Rural

07/21/2026

Sharing Mayor Dan’s update from tonight’s City Council meeting regarding the proposed Presidio development.

Tonight, City Council discussed the Presidio development and a request from the developer to consider allowing pumped detention as part of the project’s drainage plan.

After hearing from staff, Council indicated that we are not willing to move forward with pumped detention for this project.

That decision is not because we don’t want to see the project move forward. It isn’t because we aren’t open to working with the developer. In fact, I believe Presidio has the potential to be a tremendous asset for our community if it’s done the right way.

The concern is simple: pumps can fail. Whether it’s due to a power outage, mechanical failure, or another issue, drainage is not an area where we should be taking unnecessary risks. This site is located along Highway 6, an emergency evacuation route, and near homes, businesses, and a church. Flooding in that area would have significant consequences, and I don’t believe that’s a risk worth taking.

I also want to make something very clear: we are not willing to compromise our drainage standards for any development. No amount of projected tax revenue, commercial investment, or economic opportunity is worth lowering the standards that exist to protect our residents and their property. Those standards are in place for a reason, and they should apply equally to every project that comes before us.

This also isn’t a new standard being applied to one project. Other major developments, including Manvel Town Center and Meridiana, initially proposed pumped detention as well. Council said no, and those developments ultimately adjusted their plans to utilize gravity drainage.

My hope is that this 390+ acre project can do the same. I believe there is a path forward that protects our residents while still allowing a high-quality development to move ahead. I’m optimistic we can continue working together to find that solution.

At the end of the day, our responsibility is to the people who already call Manvel home. We welcome investment, we welcome quality development, and we welcome partnership….but we won’t lower our standards to get it.

07/07/2026

Completely agree with this. I’m very thankful to Mayor Dan for always sharing his perspective and for supporting what the citizens who show up to Council meetings are saying. I don’t think many people moved to Manvel because they were hoping for new subdivisions. I think we might all be hoping for a cute little coffee shop, a nicer sit down restaurant, or something fun to do, but not houses surrounding our rural properties.

I think one of the questions we have to ask ourselves is: What is the purpose of local government?

I don’t believe our role is to maximize housing supply or continually grow our population. The market will always push for more growth. Our responsibility is different. Our responsibility is to be good stewards of the community that already exists and to protect the quality of life, infrastructure, services. and character that our residents have entrusted us with.

That doesn’t mean we don’t want thoughtful new amenities, quality businesses, economic opportunities, or appropriate development. We absolutely do. But I also believe we should be careful not to move to a community because we love what makes it unique, only to demand that it become more like the place we intentionally left behind. Every town has its own identity, and there is value in embracing, preserving, respecting, and honoring that identity rather than constantly reshaping it into something else.

There are trade-offs to that philosophy. Slower residential growth can mean that fewer new taxpayers are helping shoulder the increasing costs of maintaining and improving city services. As construction costs, public safety expenses, and infrastructure needs rise, that can place greater pressure on existing taxpayers. That’s a real consequence, and it’s one we should be honest about.

But communities get to decide what they value most. If a community values preserving its character, maintaining open space, and growing thoughtfully rather than rapidly, then it may choose to accept those trade-offs. There is nothing wrong with that. Not every city has to pursue the same model of growth. Sometimes stewardship means recognizing that bigger isn’t always better, and that preserving what makes a place special is worth the sacrifice.

As I always say, we shouldn’t grow for the sake of growth but rather we need smart and sustainable growth to ensure we leave Manvel better than how we found it.

07/07/2026

At last night’s City Council meeting, developer Risewell presented about a subdivision they want to put on 55 acres of land in the area of Cemetery Road, Lewis Lane, and FM 1128. The proposal would add 261+ homes to an area that is currently surrounded by rural estate properties.

The developer argued that while zoning says 1-acre per homesite in this area, the recently adopted comprehensive plan allows for suburban residential in this space. Most of the members of City Council, along with the Mayor felt this proposal was not in the best interest of the City. The few Council members who were not opposed were concerned with the lack of traffic study and drainage planning. The MUD requirements were also a concern.

Council Member Albert felt that the comprehensive plan should be followed or changed to reflect the zoning - he seemed more concerned with restricting how the landowners looking to sell could use their land versus the concerns of every citizen in the room last night.

Thanks to all who showed up and voiced concerns regarding the proposal. There were a lot of great comments, and it is worth watching, if you haven’t already. https://www.youtube.com/live/vEpe3onjRHw?si=qHCNmRTryNvxRi9q

Those who spoke pointed out:
• Traffic issues with 288 and 1128 already being overwhelmed
• Traffic concerns with Lewis Lane being the main entrance to this new subdivision as the light at 1128 and Lewis is already backed up during rush hour
• Traffic concerns around the intersection of Cemetery and Highway 6
• Drainage concerns, which recent rains highlighted
• Safety concerns with increase in people/traffic
• The need to keep some of the rural charm of Manvel

Most citizens were open to the development of homes on 1-acre+ lots in this area. Obviously developers are interested in making the most money possible, but it is hard to believe that there aren’t people looking for low-acreage homes instead of cookie-cutter suburban communities.

Having watched a different developer’s presentation where they spoke about creating farmhouse-style homes, with natural woods and trees and walking trails, it seemed this presented plan was the bare minimum. And this may just be because of the stage of development, but they didn’t say anything to help sway people to want this development.

There was also mention of Manvel being difficult to work with (although I believe this was stated by a Council Member), but as the Mayor pointed out they are acting on behalf of citizens and this is what almost everyone in the room last night wanted.

If I missed anything, please feel free to add in the comments. Let’s keep Manvel rural!

View the agenda online at www.cityofmanvel.com/meetings00:00 Stre...

07/06/2026

Reminder: Tonight’s City Council meeting is important. Please plan to attend!

We have a Council meeting tomorrow night (7/6) with the workshop beginning at 5:00 and regular meeting at 6:00 and a goal to end by 7:00 for the USA game :)

Here are some key items in the agenda:

* Budget Presentation - Admin, Court, and Legal

* Development from Risewell Group.

* Concurring with hiring of an Assistant City Manager

* Consideration of a revised Manvel Crossing Master Site Plan

* Consideration of approving pump detention for a commercial project

* Approving of an ordinance to regulate the usage of e-bikes and e-scooters

* Awarding contracts for sidewalk projects

Agenda: https://manveltx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/614/overview

07/04/2026

Thanks to a member of this page for creating this flyer. Thought this would be good to help remind everyone about Monday’s meeting. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July! See you Monday!

07/02/2026

Please see Mayor Dan’s post about the Risewell development to be discussed during the Monday, July 6 City Council meeting at 5 p.m. It is critical that we show up and support keeping Manvel rural.

The Risewell development will officially be back on our City Council Workshop agenda this Monday at 5:00 PM.

Three weeks ago, the developer asked the City Council to delay any decision so they could revise their proposal based on the feedback they received. The updated concept is now coming back before the Council.

The purpose of Monday’s discussion is to determine whether the Council would support the project moving forward.

After comparing the original proposal with the revised plan, there are a few notable changes, but much of the project remains the same. The majority of the lots are still appearing to proposed at a smaller size but the presentation does not highlight how many of what size, with a limited number of premium lots that are just under half an acre.

Currently, this area is zoned for one home per acre, and the majority of the Council has previously expressed that they do not want to see development in this area at a density greater than that.

The updated proposal also adds commercial space along 1128 and shifts one of the access points from 1128 to Lewis Lane.

I encourage everyone who is interested to attend Monday night’s workshop. There will be an opportunity for public comment at the beginning of the regular meeting at 6:00 PM, and even if you choose not to speak, your presence helps demonstrate that our community is engaged and paying attention to the future of this area.

07/02/2026

All - just a heads up that the developer previously scheduled to share about the development between Cemetery Road and 1128 will be presenting during the meeting on Monday, July 6 at 5 p.m. Other large developments are also scheduled for discussion during the meeting. The meeting notes from the developer (found here - https://manveltx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/614/overview) do not indicate larger homesites, with the largest being only .45 acres and most being between 7,200 and 10,000 square feet. Plopping a subdivision in the middle of existing acreage homesites on the east side of town would kill a large portion of Manvel’s remaining rural charm. Please make plans to attend the meeting and to share your thoughts.

06/20/2026

During the Planning Zoning and Development Commission meeting this upcoming Monday, June 22 at 6 p.m. there will be a discussion around the Comprehensive Master Plan and Major Thoroughfare Plan. While these have already been approved, listening in may provide some additional insight into how the plans will be used and how they should impact the upcoming neighborhood proposals going before City Council.