Katy council begins moratorium process for in-ground telecom fiber permits, allows companies that sign city agreement to proceed

Katy City Council on Feb. 24 held the first reading of an ordinance that would impose a temporary moratorium on acceptance and processing of new right-of-way permits for in‑ground telecommunications/fiber installation within the city limits, and approved a motion allowing companies that execute a city form agreement to continue to apply for and process permits during the moratorium.

Council opened the item by reading the ordinance in full and cited the city’s finding that since October 2024 there have been multiple utility strikes while installing lines. The ordinance text included a summary asserting “at least 16 water line hits” and said the moratorium is intended to preserve the status quo while staff drafts an amended right‑of‑way management ordinance. The ordinance’s first reading was completed; the council scheduled a second reading for March 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

Public input and public‑works staff framed the council’s action as a response to infrastructure damage and staffing limits. Resident Sean Dolan urged the council to focus on internal permitting fixes rather than a broad moratorium, saying, “Instead of implementing more restrictive measures, I urge the city to fix internal issues first, improve communication, clarify permitting rules, and address any inaccurate utility maps and markings.” Public Works Director Jason Rivera described the measure as “a reasonable and appropriate response to an infrastructure conflict that we have going on right now,” and outlined three priorities: improving the permitting and planning process, standardizing quality control and inspection, and ensuring proper restoration and mapping of in‑ground utilities.

Councilmember Chris Harris moved, and Councilmember Roy Robertson seconded, a motion to permit processing of permits during the moratorium for applicants that sign the city’s Exhibit B agreement; the motion carried. The council did not vote to adopt the ordinance on first reading (state law requires two readings), but staff announced that, pursuant to state law, a temporary moratorium will go into effect on Feb. 25, 2025, for 12 days while the city finalizes its revised right‑of‑way ordinance. City staff said they expect to finalize and enact the amended management ordinance by the council’s first regular meeting in April 2025.

The ordinance includes waiver language allowing the council to grant exceptions where a written agreement with the city exists, where prior legal rights exist, or where work is necessary for public safety. The public‑works director or designee will make initial determinations on permit status during the moratorium, with appeals to the council.

The council and staff said the moratorium is intended as a temporary, targeted measure to reduce additional hits to water and wastewater utilities while the city improves mapping, inspection, and restoration requirements for third‑party work in rights of way. The planning and zoning commission will hold a public hearing on the moratorium on Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. at City Hall. The council’s special meeting to consider the ordinance second reading is set for March 4 at 5:30 p.m.