The Friendswood City Council has reached a settlement agreement with resident Chris Johnson, allowing the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Two (TIRZ 2) to proceed. The settlement, which Council unanimously approved on Monday night, ends the lawsuit that temporarily halted the adoption of the TIRZ.
While the full details of the agreement remain confidential until filed, both parties have confirmed that one of the key components of the settlement includes the installation of a gate on West Castlewood Avenue at the intersection of the planned extension of Friendswood Parkway. This measure addresses concerns Johnson and other residents raised about increased traffic and the impact of the road extension on the Wilderness Trails neighborhood.
Chris Johnson, a resident of the Wilderness Trails, filed the lawsuit in late August, challenging the legality of the TIRZ and its intended purpose. The lawsuit temporarily blocked any further actions related to the zone.
Mayor Pro Tem Joe Matranga, who was named in the lawsuit alongside other city officials, expressed relief over the settlement. “I’m glad that we were able to reach an amicable agreement that allows us to continue working to address the long term growth and mobility needs of Friendswood’s residents,” Matranga said.
TIRZ 2 is a tax-increment financing zone that will redirect an estimated $100 million in future property tax revenue to fund infrastructure development within the designated area. Much of the opposition to the TIRZ has been directed at the extension of Friendswood Parkway, which has nearby residents concerned about bringing traffic into their neighborhood.
The lawsuit, which focused on the legality of the zone and its impact on the community, led to a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Kerry Neves in August. The settlement agreement now allows the city to move forward, pending the installation of the agreed-upon gate.
Additional agreement details are expected to be made public in the coming weeks.
