Fort Bend County Precinct 1 Commissioner Vincent Morales announced December 19 the successful approval of an updated development agreement with global real estate firm Hines, marking a significant step toward ensuring responsible growth and quality infrastructure in one of the most critical areas of undeveloped land in Fort Bend County, according to a press release from the commissioner’s office. "My priorities have always been to balance future development with the responsibility of safeguarding taxpayers and protecting the responsible growth of undeveloped tracts," said Commissioner Morales. "When the initial agreement was presented by the Economic Opportunity & Development Director to the Commissioners Court, I felt it fell short of meeting those standards and left the county behind the 8-ball for future needs. After tabling the first proposal, I called for a thorough review from county staff and representatives from the developer and the city of Fulshear, to ensure we could negotiate a stronger agreement that benefits our community."

The updated agreement, which was unanimously approved by the Fort Bend Commissioners Court, includes critical measures to support sustainable growth and infrastructure improvements within a 2,951 acre parcel of land in North Fort Bend County. The parcel is roughly bordered by FM 1093 / Westpark Tollway to the north, FM 359 / Candela to the east, Bois d'Arc Road to the west, and Winner-Foster Road to the south. Commissioner Morales expressed gratitude to his fellow commissioners for their support, especially to Commissioner Andy Meyers for his valuable historical insights regarding the growth and planning along the current and future Texas Heritage Parkway corridor, the press release said. "This new agreement represents a clear path forward for quality development along the future Texas Heritage Parkway corridor, south of the Westpark Tollway," Commissioner Morales explained. The measure helps the county achieve several key goals, Morales said, which are:

· Promoting thoughtful development: Avoiding over-development and piecemeal multi-family unit sales in favor of a cohesive growth strategy.

· Accelerating infrastructure Improvements: Delivering road and drainage upgrades years earlier, which will reduce traffic congestion on FM 1093 and Westpark Tollway while proactively addressing long-term drainage and retention needs.

· Ensuring predictability in planning: Facilitating collaboration across jurisdictions to prepare for significant growth projected over the next 10 to 25 years, particularly within the boundaries of Lamar Consolidated ISD, a designated hyper-growth school district.

The agreement introduces new tools and strategies for the county and the developer to ensure responsible planning and growth. It ensures that future projects deliver self-sustaining infrastructure while preserving the high quality of life in Precinct 1. "As we move forward under the revised agreement, we are balancing our county's limited regulatory

authority under Texas law with our commitment to protecting the quality of life for current and future residents," Commissioner Morales said. "This decision reflects the vision for a vibrant, sustainable future for Fort Bend County that aligns with the ongoing growth of our region. It is our children and grandchildren who will ultimately benefit from the safety improvements and opportunities we are creating today, and we must lay the groundwork now to secure that future."