Local Government
As an incorporated city with a population of less than 5000, Magnolia is designated as a general law city under the Constitution of Texas. It is governed at the local level by an elected mayor and five council members. The current mayor is Todd Kana. Council member Richard Carby also serves as mayor pro tem. The other council members are Daniel Miller, Matthew “Doc” Dantzer, Brenda Hoppe, and Jonny Williams.
In 2011 the citizenry voted to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages. Magnolia was the last “dry” city in Montgomery County.
City of Magnolia Comprehensive Plan
On April 9, 2013, the Magnolia City Council adopted a 20-year comprehensive plan entitled, “Magnolia on the Move.” In the plan, the city outlines its vision for dealing with the projected business and residential growth in the area. The plan starts by identifying distinctive land use types that exist throughout the city and surrounding area:
- Rural
- Parks and Urban Space
- Residential Estate
- Suburban Residential
- Semi-Urban Residential/Neighborhood Conservation
- Neighborhood Conservation Mixed
- Suburban Village
- Auto-Urban Commercial
- Magnolia Town Center and Unity Plaza
- Business Park
- Industrial
- Public/Institutional
Each of these types is given defined boundaries within Magnolia and the projected growth areas around Magnolia. The city plans to develop each type in a different way to preserve the character of these distinctive areas. As Magnolia expands its city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction through annexation, it plans to carefully manage the growth of these areas to conform with the land types designated above.
In 2015, the city adopted a Unified Development Code (UDC) to outline the specific steps development should take to comply with the comprehensive plan. The UDC includes specific restrictions on development within each of the land use types, including restrictions on the height of signs, the materials used to construct buildings, and the protection of live oak and magnolia trees.
State Government
In the Texas Senate, Magnolia is part of District 4, represented by Republican Brandon Creighton. In the Texas House of Representatives, Magnolia is part of District 3, represented by Cecil Bell Jr.
Federal Government
In the United States Senate, Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz represent the entire state of Texas. In the United States House of Representatives, Magnolia is part of District 8, represented by Republican Kevin Brady.
The United States Postal Service Magnolia Post Office is located at 815 Goodson Road.
Transportation
Magnolia is located at the intersection of FM 1488 and FM 1774.
FM 1488 connects Magnolia to Interstate 45 to the east in between Conroe and The Woodlands. Its western terminus is Hempstead.
FM 1774, also known as Magnolia Boulevard to the south, becomes SH 249 in Pinehurst a few miles north of Tomball. SH 249 continues into Houston. To the north of Magnolia, FM 1774 travels to the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission.
