Glen Mill residents want buffer to be built

By: Charlie Bier, Houston Chronicle Staff
orginally published in This Week by The Houston Chronicle on May 12, 2005

Woodlands officials will continue to press for a noise wall to buffer residents of the 300-home neighborhood in the Glen Mill subdivision, espite the recent departure of a champion of the project.

John Rutledge, former general manager of the Community Association of The Woodlands, left his post April 22 for a general manager's job in California. He had been the key official fielding resident concerns and dealing with the Texas Department of Transportation.

Residents in the Grogan's Mill neighborhood have asked for help from the community associations to enlist the state agency to construct a sound wall to combat noise from nearby Interstate 45 they say has increased since construction of the $2.8 million south-bound flyover from Woodlands Parkway to Intersate 45 that opened to traffic last year.

Monique Sharp, interim general manager of the Community Associations of The Woodlands, said representatives of The Woodlands Community Assocations including herself, will continue dialogue with the Texas Department of Transporation. "Upon (Rutledge's) departure, I ahe met with (TxDOT) and exchanged e-mails and phone numbers," said Sharp, who said officials are in the process of providing the agency with pertinent inforation, including location of the wall and utility easements.

Tom Campbell, a WCA at large board member who lives in the village of Grogan's Mill, said it was his understanding some information on municipal utility district easements has already been provided to the highway department.

Sharp said Rutledge, although no longer employed by the Community Associations, was providing continued support and sharing his knowledge about the project. "Mr. Rutledge, although he's no longer on the payroll, is available and helping," Sharp said.

Deborah Sargeant, Vice President of the WCA and board member of Grogan's Mill Village Association, said she has heard from many residents concerne by Rutledge's departure. "The residents of Glen Mill were very concerned this would fall through the cracks and it appears it hasn't," Sargeant said.

Preliminary WCA board estimates pegged the cost of the proposed sound wall at $1.6 million, as opposed tot he $675,000 originally projected.

The WCA began pursuing noise wall options early in 2004 after reuests from residents asking for assistance.The WCA has agreed to take on cost of maintaining the state-built wall, which would sit along a greenbelt between I-45 and the subdivision.

The raised flyover, begun in August 2003, allows Woodlands Parkway motorists to get onto the interestate without having to stop at the feeder road intersection. The WCA has also received an agreement from The Woodlands Development Co., to donate the land for the wall which hinges on the developer's ability to review design of the wall. The WCA also secured an assurance from Montgomery County Preceinct 3 Commissioner Ed Chance he will approve the wall, as long as it is maintaine by another entity.

Officials with the state highay department said the noise wall is in face a go, and design work has begun. Karen Baker, an area engineer fro Conroe's TxDOT office said Rutledge's departure won't adversely affect the project. "It's being designed in the district office in Houston. I know that they're working on it. As far as I know, it's still a go. I'm very aware John Rutledge left. Just because he's gone, it ewill not be dropped. Rest assured that it will be moved foward." Baker said.

Baker said at a going away party for Rutledge, sahe poke with Sharp about the noise wall. "I was told she would be picking up that ball and carrying it foward, so I wanted her to have a face to go with the name," she said.

Glen Mill's David Nvotny, who has helped spearhead resident requestst for a noise wall, said he is anxious to get the project under way, although he doesn't think it will happen soon. "I don't know if they have the money to do it. If it gets done, I think it will be funded with next year's budget," Novotny said.

Charlie Bier may be reached at charlie.bier@chron.com.