A 60-acre tract along FM 1488 and Mill Creek Road in Magnolia is set to become Pinemoor, a new single-family community and the first self-development project in the Houston market for Smith Douglas Homes, according to a Nov. 11 news release.

What we know: Plans for Pinemoor include 216 homesites, a central park with a playground, a covered picnic pavilion, walking trails and a second playground on the community’s north side, according to the release. The first phase of lots is expected in July, with home sales anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Diana Gaines, senior adviser with SVN | J. Beard Real Estate, said the transaction reflects both economic momentum and careful planning amid regional development hurdles.

“This land sale in Magnolia underscores the delicate balance between growth and responsible planning,” she said. “Navigating through challenges such as the local water moratorium and post-pandemic development delays, this transaction represents both economic opportunity and a step forward in sustainable community design for the region.”

The Southwest Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has appointed longtime board member and former chair Terre Albert as its new president, according to a Nov. 11 news release.

The impact: Albert was officially appointed during the chamber’s October board meeting and began the role Nov. 10, following a six-month vacancy in the position, he said. During that time, chamber operations were managed by staff leadership while the board evaluated future direction.

A 14-year veteran of the chamber, Albert has served three separate terms as board chair—spanning the organization’s earlier identities as the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Magnolia Parkway Chamber of Commerce and now the Southwest Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, he said. He most recently served as chair in 2024.

What else: Albert said the area’s rapid growth—particularly along FM 1488 and into emerging master-planned communities—is a central factor shaping chamber priorities. He said Magnolia and the broader southwest Montgomery County area continue to attract new businesses while maintaining a “small-town, welcoming feel” that he hopes to preserve.

Montgomery County Commissioners Court is set to meet Nov. 18 to discuss the county’s mental health treatment facility, a historical courthouse master plan and the fiscal year 2025-26 budget.

What you need to know: The court will consider approving $117,500 for Precinct 1 for the expansion of the Montgomery County Mental Health Treatment Facility.

The facility, which broke ground Aug. 18, is aimed at increasing care access for justice-involved individuals experiencing mental health crises. With the expansion, the facility’s capacity will double, Community Impact previously reported.

Also on the agenda: Commissioners are also slated to consider and approve an access authorization agreement between the county and Mustang Express Pipeline.

Jermaine Thomas will serve as judge for Harris County’s newly created fifth civil court at law starting in December after Harris County commissioners unanimously appointed Thomas at the Nov. 13 court meeting.

Quote of note: “This appointment is not just a personal milestone,” Thomas said. “It represents an opportunity to expand access to justice and strengthen the foundation of fairness that Harris County courts are built upon.”

Judges within Harris County civil courthouses see cases regarding civil matters, including eviction appeals, property disputes, personal injury suits, contract cases and small business claims, according to the court’s website.

Put in perspective: In March, Harris County commissioners requested that Texas lawmakers create five additional civil district courts by 2027 to address the county's longstanding court backlog, joining Brazoria and Fort Bend counties in similar requests as continued population and business growth occurred in the region. The last time a civil district court was created in Harris County was in the early '80s, said Lauren Reeder, Harris County District Court judge for the 234th civil court. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration on Nov. 17 lifted a flight reduction emergency order for 40 airports, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport.

What's happening: The FAA safety team indicated a steady decline in staff-trigger events in air traffic control facilities, such as delays and cancellations, and recommended that normal operations resume across the national airspace system, according to a Nov. 17 news release from the administration. 

According to previous Community Impact reporting, "high impact airports" such as IAH and HOU were ordered early November to cut flights by 10% in response to air traffic controller shortages due to the federal government shutdown, which ended Nov. 12. Federal employees, including air traffic controllers and some pilots, were not paid during this time.

One more detail: The FAA reported eight staffing triggers—an alert of insufficient staffing at an air control facility—Nov. 15 and only one on Nov. 16 compared to a record-high of 81 on Nov. 8, according to the release. 

Texans began receiving full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits Nov. 14, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced. The renewed SNAP payments came after two weeks of delays due to the 43-day federal government shutdown, which ended Nov. 12.

The overview: SNAP is a federally funded program that provides low-income individuals and families with monthly stipends to spend on groceries. The food assistance program ran out of funding Nov. 1, one month after the government shut down amid disagreements over federal health insurance subsidies.

The details: Over 3.5 million Texans receive SNAP benefits each month, according to Feeding Texas, the statewide network of food banks. Payments are issued on a rolling basis throughout each month.

“For SNAP clients who receive benefits on or after the 14th of the month, full benefits will be issued on their normal issuance date,” the HHSC website states. “SNAP clients who already received partial benefits will receive the rest of their monthly amount on or after Nov. 14.”