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Katy council approves first reading of temporary moratorium on new in‑ground telecommunications fiber
Summary
The Katy City Council read and approved on first reading an ordinance enacting a temporary moratorium on acceptance and processing of permits for new in‑ground telecommunications fiber in city rights of way; council also approved an exhibit allowing companies with an executed agreement to continue work.
KATY, Texas — The Katy City Council on Feb. 24 approved on first reading an ordinance enacting a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and processing of new right‑of‑way permits for in‑ground telecommunications fiber within the city limits, saying the pause will give staff time to update rights‑of‑way rules and protect underground water and wastewater infrastructure.
The council said the moratorium responds to repeated utility strikes and a surge in permit requests; council members and city staff described the measure as a time‑limited effort to “protect the status quo” while an amended rights‑of‑way management ordinance is drafted. The ordinance text states the initial moratorium period will be 120 days from enactment, and the city announced an interim moratorium will go into effect Feb. 25, 2025 under state notice requirements for a period of 12 days pending a second reading.
Public comment before the vote included concerns that the moratorium and new agreement language could unfairly exempt some providers and add permitting burdens. “This proposed moratorium raises serious concerns,” said Sean Dolan, who lives on Alicia Way Drive. Dolan urged the city to fix internal permitting issues first and recommended a probationary program targeting repeat offenders rather than a broad moratorium.
Jason Rivera, the city’s public works director, told council that since October 2024 the city recorded about 16 water‑line hits during fiber installations and about 35 permit requests for new in‑ground fiber since Jan. 1, 2025. Rivera said the hits and “close calls” have strained public works’ ability to respond and that the proposed ordinance and an associated standard agreement would improve planning, mapping, inspection, quality control and restoration practices.
Council members moved to allow processing of permits during the moratorium for applicants that sign a form agreement (Exhibit B) approved for use during the moratorium. Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris moved the Exhibit B motion; Councilmember Roy Robertson seconded. The voice vote drew no opposition and the motion carried. The council read the ordinance in full and recorded that it passed on first reading Feb. 24, 2025; the second reading and final consideration are scheduled for a special meeting on March 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
City staff said they intend to finalize and present an amended rights‑of‑way ordinance by the council’s first regular meeting in April 2025. The public works director and staff will make initial determinations on waiver and grandfathering requests under the ordinance; appeals of those determinations may be brought to council.
A city planning and zoning commission public hearing on the moratorium ordinance is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2025 at 1 p.m. at City Hall.
