Renovation of an educational facility in Willis, Texas. Completed plans call for the renovation of a 175,000-square-foot educational facility.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/trending/article/conroe-willis-isd-requests-variance-21191941.php A tree ordinance variance request from Willis ISD for the expansion of Willis High School got no traction with the city of Conroe Thursday when the item died for a lack of motion. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer A tree ordinance variance request and the annexation of a new school from Willis ISD got no traction with Conroe city leaders on Thursday as the issues both died for a lack of motion. The district sought an exemption from Conroe's tree ordinance requirements, grandfathering in the site through 2027. In an unrelated agenda item, the district asked for the voluntary annexation of its new elementary school at 8150 MP Clark Road. The school is located in Conroe's extraterritorial jurisdiction. NEW HOMES: This Conroe woman was living in a shed. Now, she's one of four families with new mortgage-free homes Advertisement Article continues below this ad Neither item garnered any discussion from city council members. The requests come after Willis filed a lawsuit against Conroe in August over a lack of water service to Calfee Middle School just days before students returned to class. The water service was connected before the start of school that month. A jury trial has been set for April in the 457th state District Court. Want more Houston Chronicle Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Tree ordinance request The city's tree ordinance has been a hot-button issue for more than a decade. The ordinance was created in 2013, but in December 2018 it was amended to ease tree management restrictions for developers. In August 2022, a newly seated council revisited the ordinance and tightened the restrictions to stop developers from removing all the trees from sites under development. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jerry McCrorey, owner of Spear Point Engineering, said the ordinance is causing a hardship for the district as it expands its 109-acre site, which includes Willis High School, Turner Elementary School, the district's Career and Technology Center and sports and recreational facilities, in the request for a variance. The project is part of the district's $218.1 million bond package approved by voters in May 2024. The bond includes an expansion of Willis High School, parking lot improvements and a new transportation center. "(The requests) are necessary to provide a successful expansion of the school district facilities while also respecting the intent and function of the city of Conroe Vegetation Ordinance, also called the Tree Ordinance," McCrorey said. The district requested the city waive requirements of the Tree Preservation Zone for the expansion of the high school parking lot, including allowing vegetation to be planted in a public easement, not requiring vegetation for parking lots not near property lines and deferring planting of vegetation through 2027. CHRISTMAS FUN: New holiday experience The Christmas Village opens near Huntsville. Here's how to go. "We are short about 81,000 square feet of credit," said Michael Gabrielse, with Acer Forestry Solutions. "We are planting 130, 140 trees. We are planting significantly more trees than have been removed. Many of these trees are going to be in highly utilized spaces." Gabrielse, who represented the district during the council's meeting, said the site has been "problematic" for the expansion since it is not a new site. "That's the nature of the beast with how this decades-old site," Gabrielse said. "There is not a lot of wiggle room in design." The district could not be reached for comment. ________________ Work Included: 1. The "Project" of which the "Work" of this Contract is a part, is titled Willis High School Expansion - Ninth Grade Center for Willis ISD and is composed of expansion of the current high school to include a 9th Grade Center and related site work located in Willis, Texas. 2. The "Work" of this Contract is titled Willis High School Expansion - Ninth Grade Center, and is defined in the Contract Documents to include, but not necessarily to be limited to: a. Expansion of the current high school to include a 9th Grade Center, including all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and general construction work. Please add Willis ISD High School Expansion - 9th Grade Center Retrieving data. Wait a few seconds and try to cut or copy again.