[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6553142,"mediaKeyId","5075215-1b21452c5615fac7a30dec6792dbabc1","parentId",5075215,"title","Sonterra Lakes development agreement tabled after commissioners debate rental-product language","audioSeconds",743,"startMs",3357000,"endMs",4100000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075215-1b21452c5615fac7a30dec6792dbabc1&start=3357&end=4100","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075215-1b21452c5615fac7a30dec6792dbabc1/thumbnail_3357000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6553142/Waller-County/Texas/Sonterra-Lakes-development-agreement-tabled-after-commissioners-debate-rental-product-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553142-79375ef46282fc21bc80971659dc08b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770845792&Signature=O9IfK7RxkkdGSukwS6xXTh4aGb6PDF94bAihZtK-y1Kw5qUb1RBXGnnO4VRy6r6NEgoopD9rRW7TJbTq6J5svex9g2RWYIgvIq7c0jFBoJnHyA8w-J-s3ITgZ0kaPVoYWtK4jmFGWXf1Bd9VsW4orN~44PH-qYj7zlGqgXZ0B29SwHpz23LMrZRPsEytcXtJLTfmYoSoqL~78kRxsvf3BCzCH~x910eWVGdKKVS04aA86Ke4xQTfG79J-nrXca3dy7NE8MSxsEKTXYPc-BFkXLd7lXIq11HtNu4gHqnIpRpRGOiF984v6GcnGO3RGt6PZKtpHLji-3zQUUmXHP-z1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Waller","date","2025-06-25T00:00:00Z","article","A proposed development agreement for Sonterra Lakes, a 1,464-acre project with 4,500 lots, was tabled by the Waller County Commissioners Court Wednesday after a lengthy debate about variances and an allowance for rental housing on a 35-acre “flex” tract.

Robert, the county staff presenter, described the package to the court: \"This is the Sonterra Lakes development agreement... This is a 1,464 acre development, 4,500 lots. There's the option for an additional, 400 lots...\" He outlined requested variances including reduced lot sizes down to 40 feet, right-of-way and block-length modifications, and a condition that apartments would be prohibited but that a 35‑acre tract could be used to construct rental housing (the developer and court characterized apartments as explicitly prohibited elsewhere in the plan).

Commissioners expressed divided opinions about allowing rental housing within the development. One commissioner said they were willing to consider townhomes or duplexes but remained opposed to a generalized \"built‑to‑rent\" provision that would permit single-family homes sold only as rental units. \"The hang up is on the build to rent,\" a commissioner said. \"I don't want rental product. I don't want that either. Whether it's apartments, whether... I don't want rental town homes.\"

Brian Stitt, representing the developer, replied that the developer's intent was to create a quality community and that built‑for‑rent single-family homes, where they exist, are typically purchased and managed by operators who maintain the area: \"When it's inside of a master plan community that at the level that we provide, it's harmonious with the community...We're business owners just like everybody else. We're we're we're taking market risk...we want things to be harmonious and quality and all those things just like anybody else does.\"

The court repeatedly noted concerns about setting precedent: commissioners said they had approved rental or duplex products in past agreements and wanted to be consistent, but they expressed worry that allowing a broadly worded built‑to‑rent allowance could encourage future proposals from developers with different maintenance standards.

Outcome and next steps

After extended deliberation, the court voted to table the Sonterra Lakes development agreement and directed the county judge and negotiating commissioners to continue talking with the developer and return with a revised agreement. Commissioners also requested that related thoroughfare items remain on the agenda but acknowledged the development agreement is the central document. The county clerk will reflect the item as tabled; staff and the developer agreed to return with proposed revisions.

Source: County staff, developer representative Brian Stitt, and commissioner debate, Waller County Commissioners Court, June 25, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Waller - Commissioners Court - Jun 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended discussion about reduced lot sizes, proposed variances and a limited 'built‑to‑rent' allowance on a 35-acre tract, the commissioners tabled the Sonterra Lakes development agreement so staff and the developer can negotiate further.","taxTitle","Waller County, Texas","taxId",54097,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553147,"Commissioners direct staff to prepare county-assistance-district election paperwork; countywide CAD favored by several members",261,1394000,1655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075215-1b21452c5615fac7a30dec6792dbabc1&start=1394&end=1655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075215-1b21452c5615fac7a30dec6792dbabc1/thumbnail_1394000.jpg","/articles/6553147/Waller-County/Texas/Commissioners-direct-staff-to-prepare-county-assistance-district-election-paperwork-countywide-CAD-favored-by-several-members","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553147-f69100aae4ef47cc155cd299b8c62180/orig.mp4?Expires=1770845792&Signature=mpg9B9iD-gqACXaThSpIcwaWPSfMLugps9PHcL0kLL6xBXz9IZhDs8njkKLHf5~syUT-ps4NKC-103kD1mCWVokEAffia1udvvky8u8cWXMbMHOy66PtE03Uppuo~YN4d-sDBMLYkkTDZzXsYlJJkBxmBC3-ALIuzFfYaOwuwIHMYvrkR-ohuJqYYV96b6zzdCgtGsKA3t54jTVDBgwFY-q1x40G1CceFYyYMvXcCyP2qXTacTr-GzTOUV0iSEHQ-gh-bF1iXOYZcy1DL-LMxU2SjwVzh0nRJ9vkwYZ9AuSYVysrpXoAK0rGxy4Y4CPkMc2In5a2OlXDhCV5thfC6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County commissioners on Wednesday directed staff to prepare the paperwork needed to call an election on county assistance districts (CADs), and spent considerable time debating whether to create a countywide CAD or multiple precinct-based CADs.

Vince, a county staff member who said he researched approaches and consulted the state comptroller’s office, told the court he had previously supported a single countywide district. \"I have gone on the record several times thinking that it is best if we just did a single district for the entire county,\" Vince said. He related meetings with the comptroller’s office and a legislative adviser who warned against using precinct boundaries for CADs because precinct lines change over time and that administrative complexity could increase.

Several commissioners said they supported creating a CAD to generate a local, dedicated one-cent sales-tax increment for projects such as mobility, economic development and emergency-management needs. Commissioners debated trade-offs: precinct-based CADs can be sold to voters as keeping tax proceeds closer to the neighborhoods that generate them, while a single countywide CAD reduces administrative complexity and the effects of future redistricting.

Judge (presiding) said he favored a countywide CAD if the court split on the choice: \"If it comes down to where we have 2 members that are precincts, and we have 2 members that are county wide, I'm I'm gonna come down on a county wide district.\" Several commissioners asked staff to include a policy option that would try to allocate roughly 25% of CAD revenues to each precinct as a framework for local distribution if the court adopts a countywide CAD.

On the question of parcels inside the City of Houston’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), staff advised that removal from an ETJ is owner-driven (petition by property owners or developer agreements) and the county can educate and coordinate but cannot unilaterally remove land from a city's ETJ. Commissioners discussed outreach to landowners and developers and potential negotiation leverage with Houston given a planned county land purchase funded by a state allocation.

Direction to staff

The court instructed staff to prepare the documents needed to call an election (the practical deadline mentioned in the discussion was an August 15 timeline for calling an election so it can appear on the next regular meeting agenda), and to return the CAD item to the court in August. Commissioners agreed to pursue outreach and education for landowners in Houston's ETJ but noted that ETJ removal requires resident or landowner petitions.

Source: County staff presentations and commissioner discussion, June 25, 2025 meeting transcript.","The court asked staff to draft election paperwork to create county-assistance districts and debated whether to form a single countywide district or multiple precinct-based districts; staff expects to present paperwork to the court in August.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553150,"Waller County shortens public comment, allows grouped agenda votes in procedural update",0,217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075215-1b21452c5615fac7a30dec6792dbabc1&start=217&end=217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075215-1b21452c5615fac7a30dec6792dbabc1/thumbnail_217000.jpg","/articles/6553150/Waller-County/Texas/Waller-County-shortens-public-comment-allows-grouped-agenda-votes-in-procedural-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553150-e194155e58cb823c3d92f7085f3e9e03/orig.mp4?Expires=1770845792&Signature=eEQ0rjbReW~OPYcVqPgzadjMm6cJpAU1QelqVtb~ki-FqDp9-eDgf1-TEyYkTn5eOq1q3dFwPC~14e28taRKktHnm2UeFpp-LTJP3L-xwNWh2uufzErMOmUNR5a1cJpsonOYGvLsBeIUHyz1mIWx5iEmTGpxDneD8qx~UOYguxs65Kl2DnAyUT3lfUq2DdpVrAtbl9zYFDVwSsfhWo8OtW1Vv3Ehcjn0s8xeypggYfry-AlYcQByTrHbuTKDwHiWu5sZVk0FURaT~4r5XM6oL8qUUuVgOg3FJDvmZnKG3KZ~8~i~DO~4xzOIcpSM7-pKAVe1mwAOkdUY5Mnini0RZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners on Wednesday approved an amendment to their rules of procedure, conduct and decorum that formalizes existing practices and gives the court an option to speed routine business.

Robert, a county staff member who presented the changes, said the prior rules allowed five minutes per public speaker but the court already practiced a three-minute limit. \"The 2 items that you already practice are, we're we're putting in there that it is 3 minutes per public speaker,\" Robert told the court. The amendment also clarifies how the presiding officer is chosen when the county judge is not present: the remaining commissioners elect a presiding commissioner.

\"The 1 thing that is, that's been added to change things, this is an effort to, allow the court to speed things up where they see fit,\" Robert said, describing new language that permits the court to act on multiple discussion items with a single motion while preserving any member's right to pull an item for separate discussion.

County Judge (presiding) said the change was intended to address long agendas that stretch court time: \"That's the main impetus behind that change,\" the judge said on the record.

Why it matters

The changes codify practices staff said the court already followed (notably the three-minute public-comment limit) and add a procedural option to bundle discussion items into a single motion when appropriate. Supporters said the change will reduce repetition on long agendas; at least one commissioner noted the backup materials will still retain full detail for any item.

Implementation and next steps

The amendment was approved by voice/hand vote during the June 25 meeting. County staff will publish an updated rules document and circulate it to the public. The County Clerk was assigned follow-up tasks to post the revised rules on the county website.

Source: Presentation and discussion by Robert; motion and vote on June 25, 2025.","The commissioners adopted changes to meeting rules that formalize a 3-minute public comment limit, clarify presiding-officer selection when the county judge is absent, and permit the court to approve multiple discussion items in a single motion while preserving any member's right to pull items.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":79,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":82,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6553153,"Votes at a glance: Waller County Commissioners Court outcomes, June 25, 2025",2054,3448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075215-1b21452c5615fac7a30dec6792dbabc1&start=1394&end=3448","/articles/6553153/Waller-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Waller-County-Commissioners-Court-outcomes-June-25-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553153-86c36f3012f7bd8c451cd315650ceb40/orig.mp4?Expires=1770845792&Signature=dKfIqYQnBmfo-f941oeu1LNaRXxMcud9LSYIzT1PAEqLXUPBRaMPFeOW7VkOTQPESUgrt1aEVEf7kYTfd3aA22DLmS3H9wxmbgovXC0v0FokfRGJEF-eiSy-KXnRR4t7C~0YZa9SiUYdl5RzTGz7OF4EIipl5zxnl-A63hVrLLIPPseF0GnJktSoDMkHq2CJhxs~6EfYwb9~s1goNw-IPVEMxWzaF-TuJjpyVX2AyUNFwBVgd-fS5zVhRQP96m3eHoVMzj~KlvWbFGfJ~xhnwfilquOGLLtpDlONPzE19Qwxtgf4rn6Wn~MgDFPootmytvel-JseaviV99FoCDUCMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waller County Commissioners on Wednesday approved changes to court meeting rules, accepted multiple intergovernmental and vendor agreements, and approved a major thoroughfare plan amendment while tabling a large development agreement after discussion over rental-product language.

The court approved an amendment to the rules of procedure, conduct and decorum (item 36), voted to approve multiple consent and routine items, accepted an abatement agreement with Grundfos, approved a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the sheriff for continued CMV enforcement, agreed to a school-resource-deputy contract with Waller Independent School District, accepted federal HAVA grant funds and the required local match for election security, authorized security-camera upgrades at a precinct community center, purchased two leased vehicles at residual value, engaged a consultant for audit-related pronouncements and approved engineering/assignment actions. The court also adopted a major thoroughfare plan map amendment tied to the Sonterra Lakes developer application (item 42). A vote to adopt the Sonterra Lakes development agreement (item 39) was tabled for further negotiation.

Votes reported by the presiding officer were by voice/hand and individual tallies were not recorded in the public transcript. Where roll-call tallies were not read aloud, the court used standard motion-second and voice/hand votes recorded as “carried” or “tabled.”

Votes at a glance: items and outcomes

- Item 36 — Amendment to rules of procedure, conduct and decorum: approved. The amendment formalized a 3-minute limit per public speaker, clarified selection of the presiding officer when the county judge is absent, and permitted the court to act on multiple discussion items with a single motion while preserving members’ right to pull items for separate discussion. Presented by Robert (county staff). Outcome: approved by voice/hand vote.

- Item 37 — (routine agenda item following rule amendment): approved by voice/hand vote.

- Item 39 — Sonterra Lakes development agreement (1,464 acres; variances requested including reduced lot sizes and a limited built-to-rent allowance in one 35-acre tract): tabled after extended debate over “built-to-rent” language; court directed staff and negotiators to continue work with the developer and return the item later. Outcome: tabled.

- Item 40 — Abatement agreement with Grundfos (corporate expansion/abatement): approved.

- Items 41 & 42 — Public hearing and major thoroughfare plan map amendment connected to the developer (Astro Centerra West LP / Centerra Lakes North): public hearing opened and then the map amendment was approved (item 42 carries).

- Item 43 — Renewal of MOU with Texas Department of Public Safety for CMV enforcement and inspections: approved.

- Item 44 — Waller ISD contract renewal for school resource deputies (request included two additional deputies and a 13-month contract term to align with the district’s budget year): approved.

- Item 45 — Acceptance of federal HAVA allocation ($42,500) with 20% local match required ($8,500) for election security purchases (cameras, card readers, upgraded electronic poll books, storage locks/seals): approved. Funds must be used by July 30, 2026.

- Item 46 — Additional/upgraded security cameras at the Precinct 3 community center: approved.

- Items 47 & 48 — Purchase of county vehicles at lease-end residual value (Enterprise leases): approved.

- Item 49 — Engagement letter with Steven L. Crane Consulting LLC to assist with audit pronouncements that exceed internal staff capacity: approved; the county’s auditors agreed to the arrangement and reduced the audit fee accordingly.

- Item 50 — Authorization for staff to proceed with engineering assignments and pursue interlocal agreements as described in backup: approved.

- Items 52–55 — Administrative items taken together; motions carried as announced on the record.

Procedural notes

When the court did not read roll-call tallies, the record shows the presiding officer asked for “all in favor, raise your right hand,” or accepted voice votes; the public transcript records approvals as “approved,” “carries,” or “tabled.” No votes with named individual tallies were read into the public transcript for the items listed above.

What’s next

- The court directed staff to draft election-call paperwork for county assistance districts (CADs) and return the item in August for a formal call if the court chooses to proceed.
- The Sonterra Lakes development agreement remains under negotiation; related thoroughfare items were left on the calendar but the main development agreement was tabled so that commissioners and the developer can continue negotiations on product and rental provisions.

Sources: Meeting transcript, June 25, 2025.","The Waller County Commissioners Court approved procedural rule changes, several contracts and agreements and a major thoroughfare-plan amendment; the Sonterra Lakes development agreement was tabled for further negotiation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sonterra Lakes development agreement tabled after commissioners debate rental-product language

Commissioners direct staff to prepare county-assistance-district election paperwork; countywide CAD favored by several members

Waller County shortens public comment, allows grouped agenda votes in procedural update

Votes at a glance: Waller County Commissioners Court outcomes, June 25, 2025