At the April 28 meeting of the Katy City Council, the city articulated its plans to annex land outside the city limits, south of I-10.

The main target of this annexation is a 400-acre tract of land that is ripe for development, according to city officials. In order to get to this tract, the city must first annex the property that lies between it and the 400-acre site. All of the land the city is considering for annexation lies within Katy's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The 400-acre tract will likely become a residential development, said Art Pertile, the city's attorney. Annexing the area gives the city some control over how the area is developed.

"The city wants to exercise some controls to determine what it's going to look like since it's right outside the city," Pertile said.

Annexing the area would also provide the city with additional sales and property tax dollars.

Residents in the area would benefit from annexation by receiving water and sewage service from the city of Katy, which will be more cost effective than other alternatives.

"It's a win-win for both the city and the property owners," Pertile said.

Katy can only annex territory that is adjacent to the city limits. The area Katy has in its sights to annex is separated from the city by the Holiday World and Hoover properties. The city is working with these landowners to annex these tracts as well.

City officials believe the land owners will agree to voluntary annexation and are delaying any council action for a time to allow them to petition for annexation.

If attempts at voluntary annexation fail, the city should consider involuntary annexation, Pertile told the council. He suggested that the council consider holding a workshop in the future to look at growth and annexation, both voluntary and involuntary.

Katy's growth is primarily to the west, and this is likely the farthest south the city will extend its limits at this time, Pertile said.