A month after Friendswood City Council voted to file a notice of appeal against Clear Creek Community Church to challenge the tax exemption status of a portion of its planned development, the city has opted not to move forward with legal action.

The council discussed the matter in executive session May 2, but no action was taken on the agenda item. When no motion was made the item died, said Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hill, who led the meeting.

On April 4, City Council unanimously voted to file the notice of appeal, which is a prerequisite to a lawsuit, Friendswood communications specialist Jeff Newpher said. City Attorney Arnold Polanco filed the appeal April 13 with the Harris County Appraisal District to fight the church’s tax exemption on the site near FM 528 and Blackhawk Boulevard known locally as the Whitcomb Property.

Although the notice of appeal is valid until May 31, the council is not expected to take further action at this time, Newpher said.

City Council approved a planned unit development in July 2015 that includes a new CCCC campus in addition to land zoned for commercial use. The church plans to sell the commercial property to a developer and will use the entire 135 acres for religious purposes until it finds a buyer, Pastor Chris Alston said during public comment.

“Up until recent council meetings, we didn’t realize that there were some misunderstandings in regards to some of our intentions regarding that land,” he said.

Alston said CCCC is working with Friendswood and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership to find a commercial developer. The city would recoup any taxes from previously exempt land that is sold within five years in addition to interest, Polanco said.

This story was updated to reflect Friendswood City Council's action April 4 to file a notice of appeal.