The gist
On April 9, League City City Council voted with four in favor of and four against rezoning roughly 55 acres just west of Clear Creek ISD’s Challenger Columbia Stadium from commercial mixed use to residential single family, which resulted in the motion failing.
Developer J. Morales Inc., out of Pasadena, had requested the zoning change to develop 213 single-family housing units, according to city documents. J. Morales Inc. President Javier Morales said as part of the rezoning agreement, the developer would make improvements to West NASA Boulevard, which flanks the area’s west side.
A presentation prepared by city staff said rezoning the land for residential use did not align with the city’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan and recommended against approving the request.
The presentation also showed there are 120 acres of commercial land in League City within Harris County, which means the rezoning would reduce the available commercial land in Harris County by nearly 50%.
Those in favor
League City resident Tom Higgins, who said he owned land adjacent to the area in question, supported rezoning the land for residential use because he felt commercial developers weren’t pursuing the land anyway.
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“Since we bought the property in 2000, there has been absolutely no progress on trying to sell the stuff that surrounds us,” Higgins said. “It’s not a gold rush out there to go build commercial stuff.”
Morales agreed with those sentiments and said the developer would be a good partner on this project as it has with other projects in League City, such as the frontage areas along I-45.
“It’s been 20-plus years,” Morales said. “No offers have been made on this 54 acres. It’s about time we did something.”
City Council member Tom Crews, who voted to rezone the area, asked city staff about what the city proposed to use the land for eventually.
“What is it that we see to be a good fit there?” Crews said. “To me, if it’s been vacant that long, I’m not sure that this is one of the best uses. What is our plan for that area—just to leave it blank and have no taxes coming in?”
City staff confirmed commercial mixed-use zoning would allow numerous types of development, including retail, strip malls, grocery stores and offices, but that development would not likely begin until the area has increased roadway access along Landing Boulevard and Grissom Road.
Those opposed
City Council member Chad Tressler, who voted against the rezoning, said he’d received lots of input from citizens who felt League City was growing faster than the city could handle, and the city needed to be strategic about its land zoned for commercial use.
“When I look at what we need for the city, it’s more commercial,” Tressler said. “Here we have a spot that’s near [I-45], near other commercial [areas]; it’s just a matter of the timing being right. I’m not willing to give that up.”
One more thing
Community Impact previously reported that League City is 40% undeveloped.
