Government
BY HANNAH BROL
Texas General Land Office officials said the development of 5,500 acres of green space near Benders Landing will not happen as previously planned, as pushback continues to mount due to flooding concerns. Scarborough Lane Development bought the land in early 2025 with plans to build up to 7,000 homes. The land is largely located within the 500- and 100-year floodplain and, in some areas, the actual floodway, Montgomery County Precinct 3 Commissioner Ritch Wheeler said. “If that land is developed, we are concerned that water may end up backing up into those residential communities just north of the property,” Wheeler said. In December, Wheeler announced he and a group of local officials were working with state officials to explore options for preserving the land. Pushback stalls development
The latest
What’s next
Local leaders said they are now looking to the next state legislative session to help fund a permanent solution for the property. “We would like for the state to appropriate enough money to the General Land Office so that [they] could buy that land,” Wheeler said. “It could be a state park, a state forest ... but the main thing is to keep it a green space and to have regional detention.” Wheeler said he’s already spoken to engineers about existing sandpits on the property that could be further excavated to provide regional stormwater detention. Additionally, the land could potentially feature small pocket parks and trails. In the meantime, Wheeler said he encourages residents to continue voicing their concerns to elected officials. “Until this land is transferred/purchased and protected as natural green space or park, we will not back down,” Marrero said. “Right now, there are no guarantees.” Scarborough Lane Development officials did not respond to requests for comment. Dates to know The following are dates of note associated with the upcoming 90th Texas Legislature. Nov. 9, 2026: Legislators may start filing bills ahead of session. Jan. 12, 2027: House and Senate convene, adopt rules, begin formal business. March 12: Last day to file bills; after this date, only emergency/special cases may be filed. March 31: Session ends; veto period begins
In early May, a group of concerned residents started an online petition opposing the develop- ment, which has since garnered more than 7,500 signatures as of June 10. Susan Marrero, a resident of Benders Landing Estates, said the back of her community flooded during Hurricane Harvey. “My business flooded during Harvey, and I can only imagine what people in the Kingwood, Humble and Lake Houston [area] went through—I want to try to help it from happening again,” Marrero said.
“This is a catastrophe waiting to happen if developed.”
SUSAN MARRERO, BENDERS LANDING ESTATES RESIDENT
Bob Rehak, local flooding expert and author of “Reduce Flooding - Now,” said the develop- ment would create a public safety issue for both residents of the development and surrounding communities. The GLO has an investment in the development through the School Land Board. In a May 6 emailed statement, GLO Commissioner Dawn Buckingham told Community Impact the project would not be moving forward as planned. “We have heard the concerns of the local com- munity surrounding this potential development and as previously stated, this project will not be proceeding as planned,” Buckingham said. “We are exploring ways for this property to be a part of a transformational flood mitigation project.”
99 TOLL
BIRNHAM WOODS DR.
WEST FORK SAN JACINTO RIVER
Scarborough Lane Development property
W. BALSAM FIR CIR.
SPRING CREEK
SHADY HILLS LANDING LN.
N
SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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