Katy, Texas — The Katy City Council voted Nov. 10 to adopt an amendment to the Katy Boardwalk Planned Development District (PDD) after a public hearing and a presentation by Pelican Builders and planning consultants with Kimley‑Horn.

The ordinance the council adopted amends existing Boardwalk zoning regulations and formally adopts a concept plan for a roughly 24‑acre parcel that would convert much of the previously approved attached brownstone product into detached, village‑style single‑family homes. Ethan Harbaugh, a planner with Kimley‑Horn, told council the proposed changes would allow the project to increase from about 160 units in the current concept to as many as 186 by reducing lot depth while maintaining or meeting minimum width standards in the PDD. "The changes we're proposing would allow us up to a 186 homes in this arrangement on wider but shallower single family lots," Harbaugh said.

Pelican Builders president Derek Darnell said his firm purchased the parcel in December 2024 and expects construction plans to be reviewed this winter, with a possible start in February if approvals and administrative items proceed. "It's 24 acres. It'll be done in 2 phases," Darnell said, adding that final timing depends on plan reviews and coordination with utilities.

Developers emphasized new architectural standards and site amenities that they said would create a walkable, village‑style neighborhood: tree‑lined boulevards, sidewalks, parallel on‑street parking on residential collectors, perimeter masonry walls, and neighborhood parks and amenities. Harbaugh said green‑space on the site will exceed the PDD minimum (the PDD sets a 10% minimum; staff indicated current designs sit around 14–18%).

Public comment and several council members focused on the Boardwalk project's long history and developer accountability. Sean Nolan, a resident who spoke at the hearing, told council that earlier partners had not delivered promised hotel and conference facilities and criticized prior extensions for lacking penalties, saying the city should clarify incentives and the realistic path forward. "If the deal is not ready or desirable enough to even present to capital sources in mid‑2025, then why is it a good use of our taxpayer funds?" Nolan asked.

Council members pressed staff and the developer about lot dimensions, whether the ordinance would reduce minimum lot widths, and what steps would be required to revert to attached brownstones. Staff and the developer repeatedly said that the PDD text retains standards for brownstones but that any future attached‑product proposal would require returning to planning and zoning and council for separate approval. Harbaugh described the retained brownstone language as a way to preserve future flexibility rather than an immediate change to the concept plan.

After the presentation and Q&A, Mayor Pro Tem Chris Harris moved to approve the ordinance and Council Member Gina Hicks seconded. The council conducted a voice vote; after counting ayes and noes the mayor announced, "Motion carries," and the ordinance was adopted.

What happens next: the PDD amendment and adopted concept plan will guide subsequent civil engineering plan reviews, utility coordination, and future development permits. Council and staff said any significant change to the approved concept plan—such as switching back to attached brownstones—would require a new submittal to Planning & Zoning and a return to council.