by Nicole Bradford
A tract across Main Street from Pearland High School could develop as a restaurant and retail area instead of an industrial one.
Pearland City Council on January 27 approved a first reading of a requested zone change from heavy industrial to general commercial for the 7.5 acres located on the northwest corner of Main Street and Bailey Road.
“We are looking at commercial uses that are more in a retail flavor,” said applicant Will Benson, representing the property owner, JM Projects LLC.
“Restaurants, retail strip center type of uses, single tenants as well as some multi-tenant type uses.”
Possible tenants, should the final zone change be granted, include a local restaurant that’s currently looking to expand, Benson told the council.
“They like the high school being right across the street. This area has matured over the past 10 years,” he said.
Council member Layni Cade voted against zone change during the January first reading, which passed 6-1.
A second and final reading is expected to be heard and decided at a February council meeting.