Candidates debate West Side (Westlake) master plan: tax mix, green space and infrastructure concerns

League City council candidates discussed the West Side master development plan (sometimes called Westlake in forum remarks) at length during a Chamber-hosted candidate forum, weighing trade-offs in land use, tax base composition, green-space preservation and infrastructure costs.

Why it matters: The West-side plan will shape where homes and businesses are sited and how the city pays for roads, drainage and utilities as buildout proceeds. Candidates said decisions about the plan will affect League City's character and its fiscal sustainability for decades.

The moderator asked candidates how they would address concerns about implementing the West-side master plan. Charlie Keeler said the city should "use the template that we have here on the East Side" and ensure infrastructure — including road right-of-ways, water lines and pump stations — match future needs. Lisa Welty said she looked up the property and told the forum it is privately owned; she said "it's 4,000 acres" and recommended mixed growth with business recruitment near the Grand Parkway to help expand the commercial tax base.

Kirsten Garcia described the existing tax mix and planning goals: she said "the tax base in League City is about 80% residential and 20% commercial" and that a previously established council goal sought a 60/40 split. Garcia said plan options under consideration would change the ratio but still leave residential in the majority; she said one preferred option aimed at a more walkable, mixed-use development with preserved green space. Garcia also urged careful attention to drainage and mobility.

Scott Higginbotham said League City has a "one shot to nail this" and argued developers should pay appropriate capital-recovery and impact fees so growth does not unduly burden residents. He supported mixed commercial uses that could broaden the tax base and said his role on the Planning and Zoning Commission and Capital Improvement Advisory Committee informs his view that development should pay its infrastructure costs.

What candidates agree on: all five said the West Side requires deliberate planning. Several favor balanced, mixed-use development with green space; several raised concerns about ensuring utilities, drainage and roads are sized and funded to serve new neighborhoods. Candidates also stressed that the city's decisions on layout, infrastructure standards and impact fees will determine whether residents bear new costs.

Disagreements and uncertainties in the forum: candidates cited different acreage figures and tax-split numbers during discussion. Lisa Welty told the audience the property is "4,000 acres" and privately owned. In contrast, a forum remark referenced a larger figure when summarizing the plan's scope, which candidates described in different terms; candidates also differed on which plan option they preferred and the balance between commercial and residential uses.

Next steps: Candidates said the council and advisory bodies will review plan materials and make recommendations on detailed zoning, infrastructure standards and required developer contributions if elected.

Quoted from the forum: "A single city council member by themselves really can't do anything," said Kirsten Garcia, arguing for collaborative planning across council. "Let's let development pay for itself in League City," said Scott Higginbotham, calling for higher impact fees and developer-funded infrastructure where appropriate.