Katy council votes to form Historic Preservation Advisory Group, prioritizes Rice Dryer area

After more than an hour of public testimony, the Katy City Council on Feb. 9 voted to direct the city administrator to convene a Historic Preservation Commission advisory group with a priority to evaluate protections for the city’s Rice Dryer (Reichstrier) area.

The decision followed repeated public pleas from residents, descendants and the property owner to find a restoration‑friendly path for the massive concrete rice dryers that long marked Katy’s skyline. Council Member Janet Court, who brought the item forward, told colleagues the advisory group should include structural engineers and community members and should produce recommendations on whether a full ordinance or a lighter advisory approach is appropriate. Court asked for a report back by the council meeting on April 27.

Why it matters: The rice dryers are widely cited by speakers and council members as an iconic element of Katy’s identity and a potential economic and cultural asset if adaptively reused. Speakers said current building codes impede restoration and that an advisory group could develop practical, safety‑focused solutions that avoid unnecessarily destructive code work.

What the council decided: Court moved that the city administrator assemble the advisory committee; Council Member Gina Hicks seconded. Council added an amendment (approved by voice vote) to prioritize review of the rice dryers (referred to variously in the record as the Cardiff, B. Ray Woods and other family‑associated dryers and the broader Rice Dryer District). The amended motion carried on a subsequent voice vote.

Membership and scope discussed: Court and other council members suggested a mix of structural engineers and citizens knowledgeable about Katy history. Several members and staff emphasized the advisory nature — to avoid creating additional permitting red tape while still identifying safe, code‑compliant pathways for preservation. City legal staff advised that exemptions could not simply be granted by ordinance and suggested regulations or targeted overlay codes as likely options.

Public testimony and owner request: Multiple residents, including longtime neighbors and a descendant of a family tied to the dryers, urged the council to preserve the structures. Owner/developer Andrew Nicoya spoke to the council and asked for a ‘fair and transparent process’ so his restoration plans (including a museum and event space) could proceed without destroying the structures’ historic character.

Next steps: The motion directs the city manager to coordinate formation of the advisory group and report back to council by April 27, 2026; the staff will solicit nominations and may return a proposed membership and work plan for council approval. If the advisory group finds options that require regulatory changes, staff indicated those would return to council for consideration.

Quotes: “The dryers are unique,” resident Linda McCaska said during public comment. Owner Andrew Nicoya asked for a process to “recognize and preserve historic properties like the dryer.” Council Member Court said the commission should include structural engineers “who know the safety and ADA rules.”

Outlook: The advisory group is intended to balance safety, code compliance and preservation goals; if it recommends regulatory changes or a district overlay, those would require additional council action and possible public hearings.