Prior to its regular meeting on August 25, Katy’s city council convened for a one-hour workshop on a potential landscaping ordinance. Despite reports in other Houston-area news media, the proposed ordinance would not affect existing residential properties within the city limits but would focus primarily on commercial developments and new residential subdivisions, city staff said.

The ordinance was drafted with several goals in mind, said City Planner Rachel Lazo. It is designed to protect, preserve, and enhance the city’s canopy and to promote quality development through cohesive landscaping. The measure also encourages native and drought resistant plants for water conservancy and aims to improve stormwater runoff quantity and quality. It will also abate noise, glare, and heat from both the built environment and vehicles. The proposal establishes new standards for street landscaping, parking lot landscaping, landscaping for new residential development and traffic safety and visibility.

All new development, redevelopment, improvements or infill development on nonresidential land properties, and new residential subdivisions would preserve “protected trees,” which 8” and larger (when located on a property in the Old Katy District), 19” and larger or trees identified and recognized as a Legacy Tree by Keep Katy Beautiful (KKB). Parcels not proposed for development would be able to clear underbrush and grub with a clearing permit but cannot remove trees. Parcels cannot be clear cut in preparation for development without a clearing permit, and clearing permits must be accompanied by a tree survey and tree protection plan. Trees removed from a site must be replaced or the developer may pay a penalty in the amount of up to $10,000.00 per tree, depending on its size.

After a one-hour discussion, the workshop was concluded without further action. Councilmember Janet Corte recommended that the ordinance be split into two separate ordinances – one for residential and one for commercial – for clarity. Councilmember Gina Hicks said that the whole concept was “too California” and that the city was not in the business of acting as a homeowners’ association (HOA) to regulate landscaping.

Local business owner Shari Booth spoke against the measure during public comments, expressing concerns about the increased costs imposed on local businesses who may want to redevelop or expand their property.

Once in regular session, council Took a vote on the proposed 2025 tax rate of $0.425, the same as the current tax rate; vote was 5-0 in favor of the recommended rate. A public hearing will be held on the proposed rate on September 22 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 901 Avenue C in Katy.


After a proposal for a $28,000.00 tourism grant was tagged by Councilmember Rory Robertson in the council’s August 21 meeting, the measure passed unanimously without discussion. The agreement between the Katy Foundation Inc. and Goodtaste TV, LLC is for production of a full TV episode featuring small businesses within the city and highlighting local restaurants. Local restauranteur Edgar Carlson, owner of Southern Dough on Katy’s historic downtown square, spoke passionately in favor of the measure during public comments, citing increased business for his restaurant and other downtown businesses after they were featured on a previous episode of the show. "Goodtaste with Tanji" is a culinary show hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Tanji Patton, exploring the vibrant world of food and wine across Texas.

In other action, council:

· Delayed action on a special use permit application by the Apostolic Church LAWNA at 5038 E. Fifth Street; item was tagged by Councilmember Janet Corte, who requested more information on the issue.

· In a 5-0 vote, authorized the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with the Katy Development Authority (KDA) and Harris County authorizing up to $950,000.00 in city contributions to fund a design study for the Katy Fort Bend Road project.


The next meeting of City Council will be held on September 8 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 901 Avenue C in