Council delays decision on Heritage Signature Trail professional services agreement after resident concerns

League City’s City Council on July 8 postponed consideration of a professional services agreement with Half Associates for design and construction‑phase services for the Heritage Signature Trail (Project PK‑2302), voting to delay the item until the next meeting so staff can evaluate resident concerns about alignment and impacts.

The agreement, listed in the agenda with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $198,095, was removed from the consent agenda for separate consideration after several residents spoke during public comment about the section running from Coriel to Satsuma that would pass near or directly in front of private homes.

Resident Gavin Madlenka (introduced at the podium as living at 524 North Kansas) told council the proposed trail would pass through his front yard, reduce privacy and safety, and asked council to consider routing the trail across the street where a vacant lot sits or to choose an alternate route or abandon the project. Brent Fournette, who said he lives at 804 Coriel St., echoed privacy concerns and suggested a narrower path (approximately 5 feet) or using pavers to fit the neighborhood character rather than an 8‑foot concrete strip.

City staff described the project map on the screen, saying the trail ultimately is intended to connect three parks (League Park, the Kilgore Track/parkland, and the parcel along Satsuma) and that the full project spans roughly half a mile for the green/yellow/red sections shown in the exhibit. Staff noted the red and yellow sections (the portions in question) are a subset of a longer system that totals a bit over half a mile; staff estimated the project’s red sections were among the shorter segments under discussion.

Councilmember Sean Saunders said postponement would allow staff to “process what our speakers … presented” and return with pros and cons of alternatives. Council voted 8–4 to delay the agreement for two weeks.

Council and staff flagged several issues for follow‑up: whether the trail can be routed on the west side of Kansas/Coriel to avoid private front yards; feasibility of crossing Kansas at Coriel vs. Satsuma; trail width in tight areas (staff noted a six‑foot width had been considered for constrained spots); and potential grading/utility or drainage constraints near existing drainage facilities. Staff committed to return with feasibility information at the next meeting.

No final contract award was made; the item remains pending review.