Katy City Council tabled a hearing Monday to approve zoning changes related to developer JPSPS Development L.P.'s plans for a mixed-use development located at the northwest corner of Morton Road and Katy Hockley Cut Off Road. The council approved several measures including updates to the city's solid waste services contract, moving forward with soliciting bids for drainage projects and acceptance of two public safety grants for two athletic events on public roads. Here are the details:
1. Public hearing on 25K Morton Park and Silver Oaks Estates development postponed
JPSPS Development rescinded their proposed plan for a mixed-use subdivision on the north side of Katy. Documents provided by the city indicate that the developer pulled their planned development district proposal, commonly referred to as a PDD, in order to conduct a more detailed study in relation to stormwater drainage, detention and conveyance.
2. Amendment to city’s trash services contract approved
The city amended its solid waste services contract with Republic Services with a unanimous vote from City Council. The amended contract now addresses the problem of landscaping waste by providing residents with the opportunity to place up to 15 clear plastic bags weighing 40 pounds or less of yard waste on the curb for collection on bulk trash days twice per month. A $2 per household per month fee was added to the contract to cover the additional collection; however, the city will pay that amount for residents through at least Oct. 1 of this year said Kayce Reina, the city’s director of Tourism, Marketing and Public Relations. Residents that ordered additional trash bins for the prior version of the contract may contact Republic to have the bins removed with no penalty, Council Member J. Gary Jones said. Additionally, the $2,000 penalty for not abiding by the contract remains out of the city’s trash ordinance, though it may be reinstated at a later date as a deterrent to nonresidents who may come into the city to dump trash, Mayor Chuck Brawner said after the meeting. “I want to thank the mayor, and [City Administrator] Byron [Hebert] and David [Aguilar] with Republic for coming up with a good solution and footing the bill for that,” said Council Member Ray Boothe. “I think that’s a great idea while we kind of transition this through.”
3. Bids sought for drainage projects
City Council authorized Costello Inc., the engineering firm that is coordinating the city’s drainage improvements, to begin soliciting bids for planned drainage improvements to Pine Forest. The plans for improving the community, which is located in the northwest portion of town, include improved storm sewers and other infrastructure. Brawner said that the city wanted to move forward with the bidding process in order to expedite the work. The project will initially be paid for using the city’s reserve fund.
