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Pearland council denies conditional-use permit for Paradise Cemetery’s event center
Summary
The Pearland City Council voted 4–3 on Dec. 8 to deny a conditional-use permit for a privately run celebration-of-life facility at Paradise Cemetery South after council members cited parking, traffic and neighborhood impact; applicant and staff had said the center would not operate as a funeral home.
The Pearland City Council on Dec. 8 voted 4–3 to deny a conditional-use permit (CUP 2025-0213) that would have allowed Paradise Cemetery South to build a roughly 5,780-square-foot, for‑profit celebration-of-life center at 2237 Cullen Parkway.
Planning staff told the council the application met five of seven criteria for a CUP and the Planning & Zoning Commission had recommended approval 7–0. Staff noted 17 written comments submitted after the P&Z meeting and recommended approval with conditions including sidewalk installation, screening and that preparation or cremation of the deceased would not occur at the site.
Reid Wilson, representing Service Corp International and Paradise South, said, “This is not a funeral home. It is a celebration of life center,” and that the company accepted staff conditions. Architect Daniella Braganholo described the building as made of brick and cementitious siding with seating for about 160 people; she said the occupant load by code would allow up to 300 but operationally they expect far fewer.
Council members focused much of their questioning on parking and traffic. Council member Patel asked about overflow parking and pointed to the rendering showing a funeral coach, saying the image raised concerns about future use. Fire and engineering staff and the applicant said the project provides 36 code‑required parking spaces on site, with additional parking in an existing office lot and along internal cemetery drives as overflow; the applicant also said TxDOT approval had been sought for a right-in/right-out on Cullen Parkway.
Operations staff said alcohol packages would not be offered initially. Ronnie Buggs, general manager for Paradise Funeral Home and Cemeteries, said the company had “opted initially not to have that as an option” but acknowledged conditions could be added at council discretion.
Several council members said the site’s parking and traffic implications for nearby neighborhoods and the adjacent school made them uneasy. Council members Carbone and Cozza explicitly said they would vote no during the public discussion. Council member Carbone placed a motion on the floor to approve the CUP with staff conditions plus a prohibition on on‑site distribution or consumption of alcohol, but the motion failed 3–4.
The denial leaves the applicant with options that may include revising the plan, addressing parking/traffic concerns, or pursuing other land-use changes; staff will return to the applicant and council with any next steps if the applicant seeks to reapply.
