While many were supportive of the PID, some residents were concerned about how it would affect property values and who would be on the hook for paying any additional costs.
Council did not take a vote on the item at its June 23 meeting, as the item was just for a public hearing.
The overview
If approved, the PID would cover around 80 acres on the southeast corner of Smith Ranch Road and Hughes Ranch Road, according to city documents.
The goal of the PID would be to share the costs of extending wastewater services into the area, which all told could cost around $6.1 million, documents show. Of that total, officials said the developer would provide $1.5 million toward the project.
A PID is a funding tool that allows for public improvements in a given area to be funded via debt, such as bonds, according to a June 23 presentation from the city.
Before a PID will be able to go into effect, council will have to approve it at a future meeting, documents show. Prior to the public hearing, petitions and agreements must be submitted and accepted by City Council, which was done at a May 19 meeting.
The proposed improvements for the area include wastewater improvements, documents show. Those include:
- A lift station
- Gravity and force mains
- Road improvements
A few residents with property in the area voiced support for the PID, saying they have run into issues with selling their property because of a lack of wastewater infrastructure in the area.
“If there was a better option, or a lower cost option, we wouldn’t be here tonight,” property owner Nick Motamedi said. “But unfortunately, that is what we’re left to deal with.”
No residents spoke directly against the PID. However, a couple of residents said they were concerned about the costs being borne by residents, be it through costs being higher than expected or challenges with selling their property once work was done.
Jonathan Pollard, development manager with the Pearland Economic Development Corporation, or PEDC, clarified any additional costs for the improvements would be borne by the PEDC.
Council member Rushi Patel said he was concerned about the added assessment cost on residents’ properties. Other officials asked for more data to show how such improvements affect the property values of a given area.
“I believe the PID is the right way to go,” council member Clint Byrom said. “It sounds like there’s maybe some more information we can provide the property owners so they can be a little more comfortable with it.”
What’s next?
The next step for the PID is for City Council to vote on its approval, which could happen in July.
However, City Manager Trent Epperson said there are “multiple steps” after that, including other public hearings and assessments.
