This will expand Katy Court to 300 acres and kickstart Phase II of the mixed-use commercial and residential development, per documents from Parkside Capital—a land investment firm whose portfolio includes the West Ten business park within the city of Katy, along I-10 and US 90.
The Katy Court development was originally approved in June 2021, according to City Planner Rachel Lazo. Katy Court's first phase—which is currently under construction—totaled 100 acres. This phase is comprised of approximately 23.1 acres of commercial space, 194 single-family residential lots and about 17 acres of detention. Phase II would add 412 residential lots and approximately 55 acres of detention. No commercial land is planned for the next portion of development.
The Katy Planning and Zoning Commission and David Kasper, the city’s engineer, recommended approval of the zoning amendment back in September.
But Brett Walker, president of Parkside Capital, said in a Nov. 14 meeting that progress was halted due to the changing market, where interest rates have more than doubled since May and construction costs have increased.
During the Dec. 12 meeting, Walker said the firm also needed time to assess a drainage system, work with Harris County and Katy ISD on traffic improvements along Katy Hockley Road, and accommodate the development guidelines that call for 50% of lots to be 70 feet or wider.
Council member Janet Corte said she noted Katy Court’s 88 acres of green space, which accounts for 29% of its land. The city only requires a minimum of 5% green space within a development.
After meeting with the city engineer about drainage in this area of the city, Corte said she feels confident that Katy Court will be a positive addition to the community.
"[Mayor Pro Tem] Chris [Harris] and I have been on council for almost five years now, and your neighborhood has always been of utmost consideration and concern for us," Corte said. "So we have had several meetings with David Kasper about drainage and how this is going to affect Morton Road. Basically, what we are trying to say is, we have got your back."
