Master Planned Community (Houston, Sugar Land, The Woodlands: appointed, HOA, townhome)

[Beto]

Which MPC do you believe lives up to the hype and why?
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[ZeroTX]

The only real one in the Houston area, as best I can tell, is The Woodlands. Is there any other that covers this much geography with its control, plan and rules? ... IMO, if it doesn't cover major roads and include all property types (commercial, retail, dense residential, single family homes), then it's just... a subdivision. For instance, Sugar Mill is called a "master planned community" ... now it's a nice neighborhood, but it's just a neighborhood. It's not a MPC.

So I guess first... what defines an MPC?

[Topaz]

3 more master planned communities that I think are excellent:

Cinco Ranch in Katy
First Colony in Sugar Land
New Territory in Sugar Land

I don't know the technical definition of a master planned community but I think of overarching design theme in landscaping and home aesthetics, a strong home owner's association, parks, trails, community center, and neighborhood events.

If I had my way, MPC's would also include more walkable retail. This is the first place I've ever lived where I couldn't walk to a coffee cafe.

[cla]

Originally Posted by Topaz

3 more master planned communities that I think are excellent:

If I had my way, MPC's would also include more walkable retail. This is the first place I've ever lived where I couldn't walk to a coffee cafe.

I think you will see this with newer MPC's. I have seen plans for Telfair and Cinco 2 which include plans for a TND (traditional neighborhood development) within the community. Cinco 2 also has more townhome subdivisions planned and more apts, and also has more space reserved for retail than Cinco 1.

For a list of TND's by state click here

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by cla

I think you will see this with newer MPC's. I have seen plans for Telfair and Cinco 2 which include plans for a TND (traditional neighborhood development) within the community. Cinco 2 also has more townhome subdivisions planned and more apts, and also has more space reserved for retail than Cinco 1.

Well, I live adjacent to Telfair, so hopefully there will be a way to walk over. One that doesn't involve being run over on Alt 90A.

[Beto]

Originally Posted by ZeroTX

The only real one in the Houston area, as best I can tell, is The Woodlands. Is there any other that covers this much geography with its control, plan and rules? ... IMO, if it doesn't cover major roads and include all property types (commercial, retail, dense residential, single family homes), then it's just... a subdivision. For instance, Sugar Mill is called a "master planned community" ... now it's a nice neighborhood, but it's just a neighborhood. It's not a MPC.

So I guess first... what defines an MPC?

I would say by number of amenities and conveniences, and the over-all enormous land area the community encompasses.

[sbhubbell]

From my experience, Cinco Ranch definitely lives up to the hype. And I'm not sure why you wouldn't call it a real MPC, it's HUGE. HUUUUUGE. Includes major roads, retail, a bit of dense residential and more planned. So many amenities it's a bit mind-boggling, you can't use them all. I love how well manicured everything looks all the time, and I love all the sidewalks and greenbelts...I can leave my house and run, on sidewalks, for miles and have a different route every day for weeks.

I've been a bit disappointed by the "Ladies Club", but maybe it's just not for my stage of life. I've been blown away by my own block though, with all its diversity of ethnicities and unity of family friendliness. We regularly organize activities, such as our Halloween block party that had at least 30 adults attending and about a billion kids. It's a real spirit of community.

[chris_ut]

Kingwood.

[Wysiwyg]

park8 will kick butt in the MPC line up one of these days. this is where your kids will run away to

[icon7]

the woodlands is just massive...it is a city...what is it like 28,000 acres? There are a few borderline areas....but those areas are still better than most places in Houston. Sugar Land has some nice MPCs. It is a collection of MPCs. With in city limits the zoning is pretty tough. I do think and am betting that Telfair will become another nice MPC like other successful ones in Sugar Land. mainly because the proces are high, the HOA fee are moderate, and the taxes are high.