City of Katy council approved an ordinance on Jan. 27 rezoning about 4.89 acres in the JG Bennett survey, Abstract 292, Waller County, from R-1 single-family to C-2 general business. The property lies southwest of Interstate 10 and Texas Heritage Parkway and was annexed by the city last October.

The rezoning was presented by city planner Rachel Lazo. “This property is just south of the Cameron facilities on Texas Heritage Parkway. It was recently annexed in October of last year. ... The default zoning when being annexed into the city is the R1 single family district. ... The requested rezoning to C 2 General Business District is in line with their annexation service plan that was adopted with the annexation,” Lazo said during the meeting.

The council opened and closed a public hearing on the item with no speakers. The ordinance text on the dais included standard provisions for an effective date, severability and a penalty clause of up to $2,000 per day for violations.

Council member Gina Hicks moved approval of the ordinance; Council member Roy Robertson seconded the motion. After brief remarks from council about neighborhood concerns and the limits of extraterritorial jurisdiction under state law, the mayor called the vote and the motion carried.

The planning staff noted the rezoning is the typical second step after annexation: properties enter the city as R-1 by default and owners then request a rezoning consistent with an annexation service plan. City Planning and Zoning recommended approval on Jan. 14.

No specific development proposal tied to the rezoning was discussed at the Jan. 27 meeting; the ordinance only changes the zoning classification and does not itself authorize a particular business or site plan.