Pin Oak Village resident asks Katy to restore berm protections near Katy Mills, citing trespass and leash-law concerns

KATY, Texas — During the public-comment period at the June 9 Katy City Council meeting, resident Alexis Kerko asked the city to address increased foot traffic along a protective berm that separates Pin Oak Village from the Katy Mills area, saying the berm’s use as a walkway raises safety and privacy concerns for about 46 homes that back to the berm.

Kerko, who identified herself as a Pin Oak Village resident living on Cloverfield Drive (outside the Katy city limits), told council that the berm “was created many years ago to protect the neighborhood from the noise, lights, [and] pollution” associated with the Katy Mills area. She said the berm is now frequently used by people walking dogs — “on the weekends … up to 10 to 20 people” — and that some dog walkers are off-leash despite a Katy leash law. Kerko said city “please, no trespassing” signs that had been posted about four years ago are gone and that neighbors have sent photographs to the city documenting the issue. She asked the council to consider funding a fence or a denser hedge “that is harder to get over.”

Kerko said she lives “across the street from the crazy white guy” (as she described a local landmark) and that about 45 other houses back up to the same berm. She asked for further discussion and follow-up: “My request is to please help us as your neighbors.”

Why this matters: The berm was installed as a buffer between a residential subdivision and a larger commercial/retail area. If used as a public walkway, the berm could reduce privacy for homeowners and raise enforcement questions about trespass and leash laws that the city enforces inside its limits. Kerko emphasized that Pin Oak Village itself is outside the city boundary, but that the berm and nearby signage fall within the scope of discussion with city staff.

What the meeting record shows: Kerko told council she had submitted photographs to city staff and that other neighbors had done the same. She specifically requested the city consider funding to install a fence or hedge and to restore signage; the transcript does not record a staff response during the public-comment period and no formal council direction or vote on the matter was made at the June 9 meeting. The council did not take immediate action or direct a study at that session.

Next steps reported at the meeting: None recorded at the time of Kerko’s remarks; she said she would be willing to discuss the matter further with city staff. City residents or nearby property owners seeking follow-up should contact the city’s Community Development or Parks and Recreation departments for status updates.