Commission denies Majestic Townhomes preliminary plat after engineering concerns; neighbors cite deed restrictions

The Fulshear Planning and Zoning Commission denied the Majestic Townhomes at Fulshear preliminary plat at its July 11 meeting after city engineering staff identified multiple unresolved technical and submittal deficiencies.

City staff said the submittal lacked required contour lines and several incomplete plat notes, did not show required sidewalk widths (four feet shown where five were required), and failed to provide necessary drainage calculations and signatures. The property is in Fulshear’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and the city said it had not verified that utility capacity exists for the requested services; Fort Bend County standards and future roadway changes (Rogers Road widening) also need to be addressed. Based on those open, substantive engineering comments, staff recommended denial.

Neighbors who live adjacent to the parcel said the development would violate deed restrictions recorded for Stonehill Ranch, which the speakers read into the record and said prohibit multifamily housing on the tracts. A resident identified herself and described buying land under the expectation of single‑family, restricted use.

A staff speaker reminded the commission that deed restrictions are private covenants between owners and are not a proper basis for plat approval or denial under the local platting law; decisions on plats turn on whether they meet statutory and local technical requirements. After discussion, Commissioner Amen moved to deny the preliminary plat based on the city engineer’s comments; Commissioner Dowdall seconded and the motion carried.

The denial means the applicant must address the engineering comments and capacity verification before bringing a revised preliminary plat back to the commission for consideration.