by Nicole Bradford
The City of Pearland rejected a zone change near the intersection of Knapp Road and East Main Street that would allow single-family homes to be built on the 5-acre tract.
“I wish more Realtors and professionals who got paid when you close pointed you to do the homework, so you didn’t end up owning a piece of property you can’t build what you intended on,” Councilman Tony Carbone told an applicant who wanted to build residential near Knapp Road. “I’m sorry — residential is not appropriate here.”
Owners Luis Perret and Quynh Nguyen had hoped for a rezoning from commercial to residential property, which they pointed out has remained undeveloped for 30 years.
“We’re ready to develop it now, and it makes sense to reconsider its use,” Nguyen told councilmembers on November 18. “Our plan involves building three homes, each from 3,000 to 5,000 square feet.”
But their residential zone change request did not match the city’s comprehensive land use plan, and neither city staff nor the Planning and Zoning Commission supported it. Without a recommendation of Planning and Zoning, a supermajority of council votes would have been required for the zone change. Regardless, none of the council members voted in favor.
The property is just north of Knapp Road and east of Main Street. Eight written comments were received in support of the zone change, with one opposed.