In February and March, items regarding development agreements appeared on city council agendas in Tomball and Magnolia. Magnolia City Council members authorized staff to work on development agreements with Lovett Development and Forestar Group for proposed mixed-use and residential developments. In Tomball, City Council members approved a development agreement between the city and Tomball Grand Junction LLC for construction of a new subdivision.
A development agreement in Texas is a contractual agreement between a municipality and an owner who is interested in developing land. The binding contract, often requested by the developer, helps set in stone each party’s obligation and allows a city some control over the scope of developments that pop up nearby.
According to the Texas Local Government Code, cities may enter into development agreements with landowners to require a development plan to be reviewed by the city, provide infrastructure to the property and specify uses of the land.