East Aldine District studies area expansion, delays work on Aldine-Westfield intersections

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR David Hawes points out three areas that may be added by the Legislature to the East Aldine District.

NORTHEAST– Directors of the East Aldine District met last Tuesday evening, and took action on several projects within their District.
Due to the City of Houston’s plans to repave all of Aldine-Westfield’s two lanes, the District delayed action on its projects to widen and improve intersections with left turn lanes, at A-W and Aldine-Bender, Lauder, Bertrand, and Hopper. The engineering firm, Montgomery and Barnes, recommended that the District wait until overlay paving was complete before the District committed this money. However, due to the urgency of improvements at Lauder, they recommended that maintenance funds be used for minor widening work there.

In the financial report from accountant Jack Roland, it was noted that the economy seemed to be improving, and that receipts from the sales tax were $342,783 last month, an increase of 21% from the previous year in January.
The District continued its commitment to improvements in water and sewer lines, with payments to Harris County for work in Zone 11 east of US59.
In other board business, discussion ensued regarding the need to charge a uniform sales tax throughout the district. Since some areas are still paying 7 1/4 percent, a sales tax vote will be required in the near future. This is primarily the area east of US59, according to the Executive Director, David Hawes.
The District is considering annexation of three new areas, and will request action from the State Legislature to permit this to happen. Executive Director Hawes pointed out the areas on a map for the benefit of the board and the public. They will include two small tracts north of Aldine Bender, one extending to Greens Road, the other to Houston’s airport jurisdiction. The third area will be the Colonial Hills subdivision.
Hawes said that inclusion of these areas will allow EAD to have control of two flood control basins, Lauder Road Basin and Aldine-Westfield Basin, which can be developed into park areas. Federal airport funds will also be available for these basins. Some additional sales tax revenue may also be collected.