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Magnolia Preservation Society, Cypress, TX (2026)

05/12/2026

🚨 Don’t Forget!! 🚨

05/07/2026

The Magnolia Preservation Society is calling on all residents—whether you live within the city limits or in the surrounding area—to attend the upcoming City Council meeting.

This is a critical moment for our community to stand up and speak out regarding the rapid pace of development in our town.

Meeting Details
When: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Sewall Smith Council Chambers, 18111 Buddy Riley Boulevard

Agenda Breakdown:
What’s Happening? The council will be handling several standard post-election items before moving into significant development discussions.

Election Finalization: The city will officially count (canvass) the votes from the May 2nd election for Mayor, Council Positions 1 and 2, and the sales tax reauthorization (Proposition A).
New Leadership: Newly elected officials for the Mayor’s seat and Council Positions 4 and 5 will be sworn in to serve until 2028. 2026-2027 Budget: Initial steps for the upcoming fiscal year’s budget and tax rate calendar will be discussed.
Legal Updates: The council will meet behind closed doors to discuss ongoing lawsuits filed against the city and Mayor by several individuals.
Mayor Pro Tem: The Mayor Pro Tem position has long since been Position 5. There is an item on the agenda to change this to an annual vote. Particularly interesting since this would move the position from the one new guy on the council.

Critical Development Items: Your Voice Needed
Two major rezoning requests are on the table that directly impact the character of our community and contribute to the "extreme development" many of us are concerned about.

Magnolia Square (Items 12 & 14): A proposal to rezone approximately 61 acres southwest of FM 1488 and FM 1774. This would create a "Planned Development District" for a mixed-use project, specifically including multifamily housing (apartments) and commercial spaces. This is near where the Walmart is rumored to be going in behind Walgreens.
Nichols Sawmill & Commerce St (Items 9 & 11): A request to change nearly half an acre from "Public Use" to "Suburban Village" zoning. You have seen a previous post from us on Mr. Paul Montealvo. This pertains to that.
❗️How to Speak Up
You do not have to live inside the city limits to have your voice heard—if these developments affect your traffic, your schools, or your community, you have the right to speak.

General Comments: You can sign up at the start of the meeting to speak for 3 minutes on any topic, whether it is on the agenda or just a general concern.
Public Hearings: You can also speak during the hearings for the Magnolia Square or Nichols Sawmill rezoning projects. During these sessions, your comments must stay focused only on those specific agenda items.
Agenda Items: You can also sign up specifically to talk about a particular agenda item. If you do, you must stay specifically on the item you asked to speak on.

☎️Call to Action: Growth is inevitable, but it must be responsible.

Please join us on May 12🗓️ to ensure our leaders hear that historical preservation and community character matter more than rapid expansion.

See you there! 🤓

Agenda:https://www.cityofmagnolia.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7206/f/agendas/cc_agenda_05.12.26_posting.pdf

05/04/2026

A New Chapter for Magnolia

The Magnolia Preservation Society wishes to extend its congratulations to all the candidates who secured a victory in this recent special election. We recognize the hard work it takes to run for office, and we are hopeful that these results signal a true turning point for our beloved city.

We aren't just looking for new names on a dais; we are looking for meaningful change. To our newly elected Mayor and Council members: the community has placed its trust in you. Now, we expect accountability.

Our Expectations for the New Administration

The Preservation Society will continue to monitor all city proceedings and keep the public informed of our interactions and experiences in meetings. To the new leadership, we implore you to:

Be Agents for Change: Open direct lines of communication with the citizens you represent.

Prioritize Transparency: Ensure all dealings are public and above board. No more "behind closed doors" momentum.

Do Your Own Research: Investigate every agenda item personally. Ask the hard questions and do not vote on items you do not fully understand or agree with.

Infrastructure First: We are in a development crisis. We must slow growth until our infrastructure can catch up. We advocate for:

Increasing lot size requirements.

Deterring clear-cutting of our natural landscape.

Implementing ordinances that protect our "small-town feel."

Support Local, Not Just Large: Small, locally owned businesses are the backbone of Magnolia. We must fast-track their requirements and minimize their costs, rather than using EDC and city resources to kowtow to outside developers.

The Importance of Autonomy & Education

There is a significant risk when newly elected officials with limited municipal experience rely too heavily on hired staff—specifically the City Attorney and the EDC Director. When council members do not do their own due diligence, the power shifts to these unelected positions, allowing bureaucracy to make the city’s decisions.

We demand that our Council stay advocates for the people, not the bureaucracy. We believe:

Council members must be autonomous in their decision-making.

Each member should be required to undergo annual training to understand the intricacies of city dealings.

Every official must know exactly what they can and cannot do—independently of input from city-hired contractors or staff.

Transparency in our Elections

Finally, we must address the confusion surrounding the Mayoral election. While winning candidates, news outlets like Community Impact, and many online voices reported a runoff was imminent, the City has since issued a statement clarifying that no runoff will occur.

Read the City's Public Statement on the 2026 General Election Here: https://www.cityofmagnolia.com/home/news/public-statement-2026-general-election?fbclid=IwY2xjawRlw6pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFIbjZsYnZsOTR2c2FCaEluc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsFENLMTGvU6G2hVma8-05TlXxv1gD5j860bEo06vfUhMPbMwMBNAA5r8ExZ_aem_AAqLLoUfP8Bwu5oyrwh7cw

This confusion highlights a critical failure in transparency. The city’s election pages have not seen a full update of ordinances since 2022. While 2024–2026 ordinances exist within buried meeting minutes, they are not accessible or clear to the general public.

Transparent elections are the pillar of American society. We call on the city to do a better job of making election rules and designs fully public and easy to find.

We look forward to seeing our new leaders stand up for the culture and the citizens of Magnolia. We will be watching, and we will keep the public informed.

05/01/2026

A Tale of Two Magnolias

Is Small Business Being Pushed Out for a Billion-Dollar Blueprint?

There is a growing concern among the residents of Magnolia that our "small-town charm" is being used as a marketing slogan for developers, while the actual people who built this community are being systematically sidelined.

While massive commercial projects and "Billion-Dollar Town Centers" move through the permit process with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine, our local "mom and pop" shops are being met with walls of bureaucracy and shifting rules that threaten their very existence.

The Case of 32002 Nichols Sawmill Road

For 23 years, Paul Montealvo has been a resident and business owner in Magnolia. In 2020, he purchased the property at the corner of Commerce and Nichols Sawmill...an area many know has functioned as a commercial site for over 35 years. For years, the county has recognized and taxed this land as commercial property evidenced by a quick MCAD search.

However, in late December 2025, the city suddenly issued a violation, shutting down Paul’s operation. The reason? The city claims the property was rezoned to "PU" back in 2015...a change that seems to have sat dormant until it became inconvenient for the property to remain in private commercial hands.

A Merry-Go-Round of Broken Promises

The most frustrating part of Paul’s story is the "bureaucratic whiplash" he has experienced over the last three months:

February: Paul appeared before the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) committee. His request to return the property to commercial zoning was denied.

March 10: Paul appealed to the City Council. In a room filled with over 40 community members, the Council, the Mayor Pro Tem, the EDC Director, and even the City Planner agreed to work with Paul. They suggested a specific zoning path to get his business running again. The room erupted in applause; it felt like a victory for the "little guy" though it would require him to go through the application process again and roughly two more months of waiting.

April: Following the exact recommendations given by the Council, the City Planner, and city leadership, Paul returned to P&Z. Despite following every instruction, P&Z denied him again.

Why is the Planning and Zoning committee disregarding the consensus of the City Council and the EDC? Why are they forcing a resident who is currently navigating significant health and mobility issues into a financial corner?

Follow the Money: The Flyover and the "Billion-Dollar" Plan

To understand why Paul’s property is being targeted, we have to look at the bigger map. This corner is a "linchpin" for rumored infrastructure changes.

The Rumors: There are persistent reports that the EDC and the City are eyeing properties at Nichols Sawmill, 1774, and Melton Street.

The Purchase: Sources indicate the city may have paid nearly double the market value ($585,000) for property on Melton across from Nichols Sawmill. The city has also procured and cleared the lot at the corner of Nichols Sawmill and FM 1774 that had stood as an auto shop that had been in the community for decades and previously owned, as was much of the property there, by the Lorino family.

The Goal: The prevailing theory is that the city intends to widen Nichols Sawmill and construct a flyover to provide major road access for the controversial Tannos "$1 Billion Town Center." This avoids the rule by the Tx RR Commission that the city close a RR crossing to open another.

If Paul’s property is "imperative" for this flyover, the city’s refusal to let him operate his business starts to look less like a zoning issue and more like a strategy to force a sale.

Priorities in Perspective

While Paul fights for his livelihood, the Planning and Zoning committee recently held a meeting lasting over 4.5 hours. Much of that time was spent with engineers for the Walmart project and the city's interim engineering firm, Bleyl, debating details like landscaping...discussions many feel should happen behind the scenes, not at the expense of the committee's primary duty to its residents.

When the city has time to spend hours on a corporate giant’s bushes but can’t find a way to honor a "grandfathered" agreement for a 23-year resident, our priorities are broken.

A Call to Action: May 12th at City Hall

Paul Montealvo is heading back to City Hall on May 12 to plead his case before a newly elected Mayor and Council. He is not just fighting for a permit; he is fighting for his property and his future.

We need to be there. We need to ask:

Why is P&Z allowed to ignore the recommendations of the City Council?

If the city has been taking commercial taxes for years, how can they suddenly claim the land is "Public Use"?

Is Magnolia still a place where a "mom and pop" shop can survive, or are we clearing the deck for whoever has the biggest checkbook?

See you at City Hall on May 12. Let’s make sure the new administration knows that we are watching, and we stand with our neighbors.

04/20/2026

We are going to be out at the upcoming Candidate Forum hosted by the Chamber.

When: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 6PM
Where: 422 Melton St., Magnolia, Texas 77354

Come out, shake the hands of the candidates and hear them discuss important topics.

Ask these questions:
1. Is this person a leader? Have they made changes in my community for the better?
2. Will there be a learning curve? Or is this person ready to lead on day one?
3. Do I trust this person? Are they telling me the truth or just what I want to hear?
4. Does this person have any experience with complex contracts and negotiations?
5. Can this candidate work with the team to develop a system that works FOR the citizens of Magnolia?
6. Is this person capable of asking hard questions, saying no if and when necessary, and forward thinking to be realistic about the outcomes decisions they make will have on the future?

Get out. Be involved. Use your vote as your voice!

04/20/2026

Find Agenda Here:https://www.cityofmagnolia.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7206/f/agendas/cc_amended_agenda_4.20.26.pdf

Join us today at city hall where the City Council has called a special meeting to discuss legal matters relating to the sitting Mayor.

04/16/2026

Action Alert: Planning & Zoning Meeting Today

To: Concerned Citizens of Magnolia

Date: April 16, 2026

The future of our community is being shaped right now. A Public Hearing has been announced for this afternoon regarding development plans for the land situated behind the Walgreens. A site widely rumored to be the location of a new Walmart.

If you care about how this project will impact our infrastructure, traffic, and local character, we need your voice in the room.

Meeting Details
When: Today, April 16, 2026, at 4:30 PM

Where: City Hall
Agenda: https://www.cityofmagnolia.com/planning-zoning-commission/agenda/pz-agenda-41626

Why Your Presence Matters
Many fear that major projects are "done deals" by the time they reach a public hearing, but that is not always the case. While developers have rights, they must also adhere to city ordinances and development codes.

What to Ask and Address
When you speak, be clear, factual, and respectful. Consider asking the following questions to get them on the record:

Infrastructure & Traffic: "What traffic impact study has been conducted for this site? Specifically, what legally binding agreements exist to upgrade Old Hempstead Road or Goodson Road to handle the influx of both construction vehicles and future customer traffic?"

The "Done Deal" Question: "Is this project already locked in, or are the concerns raised by the public being used to determine the necessary requirements for approval? Many of us are just getting involved, what can we do?"

Ideal Scenarios: If you have concerns, offer a better path forward. Do you want to see a smaller retail footprint? Are you demanding strict aesthetic standards that match our local heritage? Do you want to ensure the infrastructure is built before the store opens? State your vision clearly.

Preparation Tips
Keep it brief: You will likely be limited to 3 minutes. Write down your top three points to ensure you don't lose your place.

Identify yourself: State your name and whether you are a resident.

Be specific: Instead of just saying "I don't want this," explain why. For example: "The proposed entrance on Goodson Road will create a safety hazard for residents due to current traffic volume."

We hope to see you there. A strong turnout sends a clear message that Magnolia’s future is something we are building together.

04/15/2026

🏙️ City Council Meeting Recap (p.s. This is worth reading to the end... WOW.) 😮

Everyone was anticipating a very boisterous gathering, given that the City Council called us all in for a special meeting on March 31, only to cancel it for lack of a quorum while everyone was already onsite. Earlier that day, the story broke that the current mayor, Matthew Dantzer, had been indicted on a felony count of assault of a pregnant person, as well as a Class A misdemeanor.

The crowd began assembling at 5:00 PM, with local news crews in tow. Every council member was in attendance, including Jack Huitt, who is currently serving as mayor pro tem.

Public Comments: The Good, The Bad, and the Bizarre

Several citizens signed up to speak during the open forum:

✔️One resident asked the city to clean up their portion of a shared fence.

✔️One citizen requested help with a permitting letter they have been fighting to get for a few years (and has cost them millions? Did we hear this correctly?)

✔️Another resident spoke about the extreme difficulty of fulfilling Public Information Requests (PIR) and fighting the city’s processes on that front for over a year.

✔️Shirley Jensen, a longtime friend of the city, came up with a local pastor to announce the upcoming National Day of Prayer. May 7

✔️Ricky with Wilde Flora announced a family event they are hosting and invited everyone in attendance to join. May 2

✔️One citizen brought up the town center, addressing wildlife impacts due to clear-cutting, the mayoral indiscretions, and the subsequent poor handling of the situation by the City Council and City Attorney.

✔️The most interesting comments, however, came from Councilman Buck Perino's wife, who was called up under a different name (perhaps a maiden name). In her speech, she aggressively cited how easily she had completed a PIR...pointedly turning to look at the previous speaker who had just detailed their struggles with the same process. She then read information about how previous councils voted to purchase land for a business park at FM 149, and did so again in 2023. Her delivery was highly aggressive, and she seemingly mocked current candidates running in the election, asserting that they had ushered in some kind of problematic development. It was a very strange occurrence, given that her husband will have to work alongside these gentlemen at some point.

😱The Mayor’s Censure

As the public comment portion closed without further remark, Jack Huitt announced that the council will hold a special meeting to censure the mayor on April 20 at City Hall. During this speech, Huitt claimed the council had only heard of the city secretary's lawsuit that very day. He then proceeded with a "factual statement," noting it was all he was "legally able to provide."

📊City Department Updates

Smart Meters: Councilman Jacobs walked through a new smart meter interface that will allow citizens to track their utilities more efficiently. A short demonstration of the available data was provided, with a promise of more information to come. This should hopefully help resolve past issues with overbilling.

Public Works: Charles Stroud had a few crew members in attendance and thanked the city for approving their new tractor a few months back. He stated this has allowed them to safely maintain precarious ditches and retention areas, lending to the overall beautification and care of Magnolia. He also highlighted recent projects, including the repair of low manhole covers.

SJRA Fees: Ms. Beverly discussed a new pass-through fee for the SJRA. She explained that while the city has no control over this fee, it still required a vote. Councilman Buck Perino had several questions about the fee and the process, but he was quickly shut down by the City Attorney. It seemed Buck was asking the exact questions the audience wanted answered, and it is truly a shame that inquiries from council members are continuously stifled by the City Attorney.

💰Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Agenda

The majority of the remaining agenda was administrated by the EDC Director:

Parks: A first reading was held for updates to The Stroll and Sullivan's Park, with a second reading scheduled for next month.

Ethics Policy: An ethics policy was added to the EDC documents, a necessity for a number of grant opportunities.

FM 1774 Development (Sewer Project): The EDC agreed to facilitate sewer access for a development down FM 1774, using funds to purchase a lift station and acquire land. Per the Director, the EDC has "exhausted" its capabilities on this project and now needs the city to take ownership of the contract. This passed unanimously, despite lacking clarity. It appears the city is now saddled with the ongoing expense of Bleyl Engineering's planning, plus the upkeep of a sewer system for businesses outside city limits. This does not seem to benefit the city in any way.

Business and Innovation Park (FM 149): A plan was presented to add $1.5 million to the EDC budget for an access road at the park on FM 149. This was particularly interesting because this land seemed to be the exact topic Councilman Perino's wife aggressively discussed earlier in the meeting. The Director stated the land was acquired around 2018 and that funding for an access road has been difficult to secure...yet, inexplicably, buildings have already been approved and constructed on the property without access.

Past Agreements & Attorney Oversight: The Director detailed how previous EDCs had "No-No" agreements with a private developer, highlighting the importance of a Certified EDC Director. She and Mr. Perino then engaged in hard-to-hear back-and-forth banter about previous councils...perhaps reiterating his wife's earlier sentiments about current election candidates? Surely a sitting council member wouldn't disparage previous councils from the bench. And let's not forget the common denominator in all past and present deals: City Attorney Leonard Schneider, who would have had to oversee any contract the city took part in, alongside the EDC's own attorney.

Funding: It was ultimately determined that the FM 149 road would be funded by a grant. If denied, the project will not move forward. The audience was left wondering why buildings were constructed before access was secured, but answers were not provided.

👀Personnel Policy & Executive Session

A vote was held to amend the city personnel policy. No details were provided to the public regarding what was changing, but it passed unanimously. * Another attendee has reported this related to personal devices being plugged into work computers.

The council then moved into a closed Executive Session for what felt like 84 years... but what was more likely an hour plus.

🪏Post-Session Votes

New City Administrator: The council unanimously voted to extend an employment offer to Eric Forrester [sp] for City Administrator.

Temporary Administrator: Jack Huitt was voted to serve as temporary City Administrator with most responsibilities intact, excluding the power to suspend or fire personnel.

City Secretary Request Denied: A vote was held on whether to allow the city secretary to work from home for a few weeks until after the election, in light of current personnel matters. She had recently been on maternity leave and had to use her PTO to avoid returning to an office environment under duress...duress caused by the city's poor handling of the accused sitting mayor. This work-from-home request was unanimously denied.

🤯Post-Meeting Shockers

The meeting adjourned, but there was more.

The local news 🚨was waiting outside for a statement, which was provided by the city secretary's partner. What came next was highly concerning: a post-meeting request was made for the secretary...who creates the agendas...to remove the vote to censure the current mayor from the upcoming agenda. ⬅️

Furthermore, it was conveyed that the current mayor had made bail and was out on bond at his residence. What does this mean? It means he has been relieved of zero duties and still has full, unrestricted access to City Hall. The exact place the city secretary is required to report to work every single day. The city and its council continue to dig their hole deeper. 🕳️

A Final Note from the Magnolia Preservation Society As always, the Magnolia Preservation Society is here to convey information directly to the citizens. We believe in transparency and we call it exactly like we see it. However, please remember that while our reports are grounded in the events of the evening, the commentary and takeaways ultimately represent our opinions and perspectives. Stay informed, Magnolia. 🌼

🫣 Furthermore... In regard to the special session on March 31 cancelled due to lack of quorum. It has been reported to us that Councilman Small was unable to attend due to a work conflict, which was previously known. However, it is reported that the other 4 members of council were in the building at the time of the meeting and all of their cars were accounted for in the parking lot. This is obviously hearsay, but if the council were all present and cancelled due to lack of quorum, that is a gross falsehood conveyed to citizens AND the media.

Wilde Flora event:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17R6aCWVv9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

National Day of Prayer:

Thursday, May 7, 2026, 7PM
Unity Park Pavilion

04/13/2026

Let’s Make Our Voices Count: Magnolia City Council Meeting

When: Tomorrow, April 14, 2026 | 6:00 PM
Where: Magnolia City Hall (Sewall Smith Council Chambers, 18111 Buddy Riley Blvd.)

Are you attending the City Council meeting? Whether you’ve been before or it’s your first time, your participation matters. As a community, we have a powerful opportunity to influence the direction of our city—but to be truly effective, we have to engage strategically.

Here are a few tips to make your voice heard:

Know Your Opportunities to Speak:

Public Comment (Beginning of meeting): You have 3 minutes to speak on any topic. Council is not required to respond, but they may if you ask a question.

Agenda Items: You can also speak during the discussion of specific items on the agenda.

How to Register:

Arrive a few minutes early.

Fill out the "Request to Speak" form (available on the city website or in person at the meeting).

Submit it to the City Secretary before the meeting begins.

Pro-Tip: Move from Complaint to Solution
It is your right to express frustration, but it is much more impactful to advocate for the outcome you want to see. Instead of just stating what you don't want, share your ideal scenario:

Instead of: "Stop clear-cutting the trees!"

Try: "I would like to see the council increase impact fees for developers who clear-cut, or require independent environmental impact studies for all new projects."

Be a Force for Change:

Propose Solutions: Ask that your specific concern be placed on a future agenda as an item.

Follow Up: Provide your contact details to council members and ask them to follow up with you on the issue.

Maintain Decorum: We know tempers are high regarding recent personnel and development issues. Please keep it professional—staying calm and rational ensures you are heard and keeps you from being removed from the meeting.

Reminder: Everyone is welcome to speak, regardless of whether you live within city limits.

🗳️ Important Note: For those of you who reside within city limits, please remember to head to the polls on May 2, 2026!

Find the agenda here:https://www.cityofmagnolia.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif7206/f/agendas/cc_agenda_4.14.26_posted.pdf

04/09/2026

We have to be future focused when it comes to our water planning. The development in Texas is being felt throughout the state.

Here is a video sent in by a follower about the state of Landa Park/ Edwards Aquifer.

Magnolia Preservation Society

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