Residents press council on parade and rezoning concerns; council advances Westside park and tree-preservation updates and approves Home2Suites SUP

Residents used the public-comment period at the Nov. 18 League City Council meeting to thank sponsors and promote Holiday in the Park and related events, and to raise neighborhood concerns about rezoning and waterfront access.

Sherry Nunzi thanked city staff and sponsors for Holiday in the Park work, noting volunteers, sanitation and signage (public comment, SEG 117–154). Christie Wright, representing League City Proud, described vendor and entertainment details. Sherry Ferguson and Janice Halsey promoted the pet parades, grand marshals and logistics for the first weekend in December.

During public comment on neighborhood issues, Bridal Muller urged the city to address what he described as problematic private control of the Glen Cove/Lehi Cove canal and a canal-use license he called a "shakedown" that could devalue waterfront property. Betty Gallardo, speaking for Clear Creek subdivision homeowners, said a notice of a proposed rezoning to residential spurred neighborhood meetings and a petition with more than 180 signatures opposing the rezoning, citing traffic, flooding, wildlife loss and unclear applicant intent. BJ Buchanan and Roger Spatheus, Marina Del Sol residents, told council they have observed suspected criminal activity and unsanitary conditions connected to liveaboard boats and said pump-out services are inconsistent.

On the agenda, council adopted an ordinance establishing a Westside Park overlay district to increase public parkland requirements and add an amenity point system for large new developments, a measure staff tied to the Westside master plan and a public-trails goal (motion passed). Council also approved amendments to the Unified Development Code on tree preservation, mitigation and maintenance that change fee-in-lieu calculations, add an administrative variance pathway and cap restitution in certain scenarios; council asked staff to ensure permitted-tree lists include palms for the second reading. Finally, the council voted to approve a special-use permit (SUP-25-0013) for a Home2Suites extended-stay hotel subject to staff recommendations.

Next steps: staff will implement the ordinance changes, include the full list of permitted trees on second reading as requested, and proceed with SUP conditions.