What happened
Pearland City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance at its Oct. 13 meeting to establish a service and assessment plan for 80 acres near the southeast corner of Smith Ranch and Hughes Ranch roads.
The area, which was established as a public improvement district in August, currently lacks access to city wastewater infrastructure.
In 2024, the city completed a study that found the most cost-effective option to service the area would be to transport water flows via a lift station and force main over to Kirby Drive and under Hwy. 288 and eventually to the Reflection Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, said Valerie Marvin, vice president of the Pearland Economic Development Corporation.
The cost
The project will cost $6.1 million. The PEDC will advance roughly $4.6 million, to be reimbursed by assessments paid by property owners within the serviced area.
Under a public-private partnership outlined in the service and assessment plan, the developer will contribute $1.5 million and design and construct the improvements, subject to city approval.
What they’re saying
Property owners from the area spoke at the meeting in favor of the ordinance.
“I’m probably one of the bigger property owners and hit substantially with the bill, but without it I can’t sell anything,” Pearland resident Richard Acheson said. “I can’t retire. I can’t do much. I believe it’s a great step forward to get this project started.”
Looking ahead
City Council will have the second and final reading of the ordinance at its Oct. 27 meeting.
