Conroe Rejects Permit Waiver for The Woodlands Hills Amid Ongoing Moratorium Dispute

Conroe City Council Holds Firm on Building Moratorium Affecting The Woodlands Hills Development

A rising conflict between the City of Conroe and developer Howard Hughes is making waves in the Montgomery County real estate landscape. The dispute centers around a building moratorium enacted in August 2024, which has halted progress on ten pending permits for new home construction in The Woodlands Hills—a 2,000-acre master-planned community just north of Conroe, near Willis, TX.

Howard Hughes, the developer behind the project, sent a formal demand letter to the city on April 14, 2025, urging officials to grant an exemption and move forward with permit approvals. Despite homes already being under contract in some sections of the community, the Conroe City Council unanimously voted to uphold the moratorium without any public discussion during its April 24 meeting.

You can read the full story from the Houston Chronicle here (subscription required).

The Core Issue: Infrastructure Strains and Water Access

The heart of the dispute revolves around infrastructure—specifically, water access. The city has linked future permit approvals to the completion of a new $11.2 million water plant along I-45, expected later this year. While Conroe officials have acknowledged that multiple water projects are in the works, they have maintained a cautious stance, citing capacity and infrastructure concerns as justification for the moratorium.

At the same meeting, the council approved a $719,000 water line extension project from Seven Coves Road to Texas 75, which is expected to directly benefit The Woodlands Hills. However, for Howard Hughes, progress remains too slow.

Howard Hughes Responds: “A Pattern of Unilateral Delay”

In their letter, Howard Hughes emphasized their cooperative efforts, including donating land for a city well, increasing utility pipe sizes in their development, and fast-tracking coordination with Entergy and CenterPoint. The company accused the city of delaying essential infrastructure planning and failing to present a clear path forward.

“We will continue our good-faith efforts to move these projects forward and urge them to do the same,” the company stated, signaling a desire for constructive dialogue but a growing frustration with ongoing delays.

What This Means for Buyers and Local Growth

For prospective homebuyers in The Woodlands Hills and the greater Willis-Conroe area, the moratorium could signal delays in home availability and construction timelines. This also reflects broader challenges in balancing rapid growth with the need for sustainable infrastructure investment in Montgomery County.

For those keeping an eye on real estate in Conroe, Willis, and the surrounding areas, this development highlights the importance of understanding how local policies and municipal planning can directly impact housing timelines and property values.

Stay Informed

Whether you're a homebuyer looking in The Woodlands Hills, a real estate investor watching Montgomery County growth trends, or a local resident concerned about infrastructure development, it’s important to stay informed as this situation evolves.

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