Following public outcry at the April 27 meeting and at prior meetings, Katy’s city heard a revised plan for development of the 33-acre property at Morton Road and Katy Hockley Cutoff. Numerous public speakers opposed the original plan which featured high-density housing of 153 homes on 30-foot lots. Brett Walker of Parkside Capital, at the request of Ward B Councilmember Gina Hicks, came back to council with a new plan which reduced the number of proposed homes to 67 homes on 55-foot lots. The neighborhood – an extension of the Katy Court neighborhood – includes a seven-acre detention pond which will be managed by the local MUD to mitigate flooding concerns. Council passed the amended plan 3-2 and also voted to delete three acres of commercial development near the Heritage Park West neighborhood in response to the many residents who spoke in opposition to additional commercial development in the area.

Council also passed an ordinance banning golf carts on major roads and imposing additional restrictions for their use within the city limits. Golf cards may be used on neighborhood roads only during daylight hours and must be driven by a licensed driver aged 18 years old or older. The golf cart must be registered and must be street legal with proper safety and signal devices. The restrictions do not apply to golf cart usage within Cane Island, which is a “master-planned community” where such usage is allowed by state law.

An update on the historic preservation advisory group was presented but no new ordinance was presented. Community Development Director Ian Clowes presented two possible pathways forward for the preservation of the rice dryers along Highway 90, but developer Hadi (Andrew) Nurcahya did not support either measure. Mayor Dusty Thiele instructed the advisory group to reconvene for further discussion and recommendations.

City of Katy Controller Lian Carandang was named as finance director for the city, succeeding outgoing director Andy Vasquez, who is retiring. Carandang’s LinkedIn profiles states that she has served as controller for the past seven months.

Council also approved a contract with JCT Landscape, Maintenance and Irrigation Corporation for enhancements to the 3B Learning Center, located in the Fussell House at 5402 Franz Road. The project had drawn concerns from Ward A Councilmembers Janet Corte and Paula Taylor over the amount of public access allowed at the facility. Following a postponement of action on the item in March, hours were expanded for the public to use the facility, which is primarily designed for educational tours for schoolchildren, officials said.

In other action, council approved contracts for two sewer rehabilitation projects.

Mayor Dusty Thiele and council members presented several proclamations, including:

· Recognizing May 4, 2026, as International Firefighters Day (read by Hicks)

· Recognizing May 6, 2026, as “Nurses of Memorial Hermann-Katy Hospital Day,” read by Thiele

· Recognizing May 3-9, 2026, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week, read by Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris

· Recognizing May 3-9, 2026, as Public Service Recognition Week, read by Corte

· Recognizing May 4-8, 2026, as Teacher Appreciation Week, ready by Ward B Councilmember Rory Robertson

The next meeting of city council is scheduled for May 11 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 901 Avenue C in Katy.