The Fine Print: Houston
What they put in the agenda
Every agenda the site reads, from Commissioners Court and City Council to the port, the transit authority, the college districts and the school boards, is checked item by item. Anything that adds a rule, a fee, debt, surveillance or land control, or that happens behind closed doors, is logged here with the agenda's own words. Anything that cuts or repeals one is logged too, as a rollback.
Showing City of Pearland only. Every government →
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Intent to reimburse project expenditures from future tax-exempt obligations
Resolution declaring intention to reimburse project expenditures from proceeds of future tax-exempt bond obligations. This commits the city to issuing debt.
Oct 26, 2026 agenda, item G: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action - Resolution No. R2026-186 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, declaring intention to reimburse project expenditures from proceeds of future tax-exempt obligations. FY27 Intent to Reimburse AIR-26-406 - Pdf
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Planned Development Workshop for mixed-use development on 27.5 acres
Urban Arc Development requests a Planned Development Workshop regarding a proposed mixed-use development with approximately 10 acres of commercial use, 15.5 acres of build-to-rent residential, and detention reserves on 27.468 acres at the southeast quadrant of Magnolia Parkway and McLean Road. The workshop is required by the Unified Development Code.
Oct 26, 2026 agenda, item A: the agenda's words
request by Fazeel Lakhani, of Urban Arc Development, applicant, on behalf of Herlinda V. Mendez Revocable Trust, owner, for a Planned Development Workshop as required by the Unified Development Code, regarding a proposed development consisting of a mixed-use development with approximately 10 acres of Commercial development, 15.5 acres of a Build-to-Rent residential development, and associated detention reserves, on approximately 27.468 acres of land, to wit: Legal Description: Being 27.468 acres (1,196,501 square feet) of land located in the F.B. Drake Survey, Abstract No. 508, City of Pearland, Brazoria County, Texas, and being the remainder of that certain called 30.0 acre tract of land, conveyed by deed to Herlinda V. Mendez, recorded in Volume 194, Page 897, of the Deed Records of Brazoria County, Texas. General Location: Southeast quadrant of Magnolia Parkway and McLean Road, Pearland, Texas. ZON2026-0473 Joint Workshop Request AIR-26-450 - Pdf
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Presentation on Flock License Plate Readers
Presentation update on Flock License Plate Reader (LPR) technology. This is a surveillance system that captures and tracks vehicle license plates.
Oct 19, 2026 agenda, item IV.1: the agenda's words
Presentation on Flock License Plate Readers(LPR). Flock Presentation update 10-15
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First reading of zone change from Office & Professional to Planned Development
Ordinance 2000M-288 changes zoning classification for 15.0372 acres from Office & Professional District to Planned Development District to accommodate multifamily development north of Magnolia Parkway. This is the first reading of the ordinance.
Oct 12, 2026 agenda, item X.2: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action - First Reading of Ordinance No. 2000M-288 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, amending Ordinance No. 2000M, the zoning map of the City of Pearland, Texas, for the purpose of changing the classification of certain property; being a 15.0372-acre tract of land situated in the H.T. & B.R.R. Company Survey, Abstract No. 547, Brazoria County, Texas; said 15.0372 acre tract being all of a called 15.0375-acre tract of record in the name of Jachel Partnership, LTD., in Brazoria County Clerk’s File (B.C.C.F.) Number 2018064763 (located North of Magnolia Parkway, West of Manvel Road, Pearland, Texas). Zone Change Application No. ZON2026-0209, a request by Travis McDonnell, Rockport Ventures LLC., applicant, on behalf of Terry Oppliger, Jachel Partnership LTD., owner, for approval of a zone change for 15.0372 acres of land from Office & Professional (OP) District to Planned Development (PD) District, to accommodate a proposed Multifamily development; providing for an amendment of the zoning district map; containing a savins clause, and an effective date and other provisions related to the subject. Zone Change Application: ZON2026-0209 AIR-26-428 - Pdf
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Approve Conditional Use Permit for tattoo or body piercing studio
Resolution R2026-CUP2026-0395 approves a conditional use permit for a tattoo or body piercing studio at 1331 E. Broadway Street on 1.771 acres in the General Commercial District. The permit allows this specific use in the commercial zone.
Oct 12, 2026 agenda, item VIII.1: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action - Resolution No. R2026-CUP2026-0395 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, approving a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Studio – Tattoo or Body Piercing use on approximately 1.771 acres of land within the General Commercial (GC) District, being the Perry & Austin League, Abstract No. 111, Brazoria County, Texas, said 1.771-acre tract is part of Lots 8, 9 and 10 in the George W. Jenkins Subdivision as recorded in Volume 2, Page 20 in the Brazoria County Plat Records, in the Official Records of Brazoria County, Texas (O.R.B.C.T.) (located at 1331 E. Broadway Street, Pearland, Texas). Conditional Use Permit No. CUP2026-0395, for Studio – Tattoo or Body Piercing use on approximately 1.771 acres of land within the General Commercial (GC) District at the request of Tarantino Properties, applicant, on behalf of Pearland Business Park Business Opportunity 76, LLC, owner, containing a savings clause, a severability clause, and an effective date and other provisions related to the subject. Conditional Use Permit Application: CUP2026-0395 AIR-26-424 - Pdf
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Amend Zoning Board of Adjustment Rules of Procedure
Resolution R2026-185 amends the rules of procedure for the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The changes affect how the board conducts its proceedings.
Oct 12, 2026 agenda, item B: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action - Resolution No. R2026-185 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas amending the Zoning Board of Adjustment Rules of Procedure. Zoning Board of Adjustment Rules of Procedure AIR-26-409 - Pdf
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Unified Development Code update discussion
Discussion of updates to the Unified Development Code, which governs land use, development standards, and zoning regulations in Pearland. Affects property owners and future development in the city.
Oct 12, 2026 agenda, item V.1: the agenda's words
Discussion: Regarding the Unified Development Code (UDC) Update. Regarding the Unified Development Code (UDC) Update AIR-26-416 - Pdf
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Award drainage improvements construction contract for $8.79 million
Award construction contract to Environmental Allies for drainage improvements in three subdivisions and embankment work along Hickory Slough, funded through CDBG-MIT grant.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item VII.9: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action - Resolution No. R2026-173 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, awarding a construction services contract to Environmental Allies, Inc. associated with drainage improvements within the Hickory Creek (DR2402), Garden Acres (DR2403), and Herridge Miller/Brookland Acres (DR2407) subdivisions, with separate embankment slope improvements occurring along Hickory Slough (DR2408), in the amount of $8,790,702.50. Construction Contract Award – CDBG-MIT AIR-26-321 - Pdf
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Purchase sports facility lighting for $1.35 million
Authorize purchase of sports and facility lighting with installation from Musco Sports Lighting for Hickory Slough Sportsplex Phase 2, funded from city budget.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item VII.7: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action - Resolution No. R2026-171 - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, authorizing the purchase of sports and facility lighting with installation and related services from Musco Sports Lighting, LLC., through a cooperative purchasing program, in the amount of $1,350,000.00 for the Hickory Slough Sportsplex Field Lighting Project (Phase 2). Hickory Slough Sportsplex Phase II Field Lighting AIR-26-349 - Pdf
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Rezone Rice Drier Commerce Park property
Second reading amending zoning map to approve Rice Drier Commerce Park Planned Development amendments on approximately 2.8185 acres at 4477 Rice Drier Road. Affects property use and development restrictions.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item K: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action - Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2000M-286 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, amending Ordinance No. 2000M, the zoning map of the City of Pearland, Texas, for the purpose of changing the classification of certain property; Lot 1, Block 1 of the Replat of Lot 1, Block 1 Rice Drier Commerce Park, a subdivision in Brazoria County, Texas, according to the map or plat thereof recorded under County Clerk's File No. 2019050635 of the Plat Records of Brazoria County, Texas (located at 4477 Rice Drier Road, Pearland, Texas). Zone Change Application No. ZON2026-0287, a request by Paul Glenn, applicant, on behalf of 4401 Rice Dryer, Inc., owner, for approval of amendments to the Rice Drier Commerce Park Planned Development, on approximately 2.8185 acres of land; providing for an amendment of the zoning district map; containing a savings clause, and an effective date and other provisions related to the subject. Consideration and Possible Action - Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2000M-286 AIR-26-391 - Pdf
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Rezone Harrell Acres property tracts
Second reading of zoning map amendment changing classification of three tracts totaling approximately 7.77 acres in Brazoria County. Affects property development and use restrictions on specified parcels.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item J: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action - Second Reading of Ordinance No. 2000M-287 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, amending Ordinance No. 2000M, the zoning map of the City of Pearland, Texas, for the purpose of changing the classification of certain property; Tract 1: Lot 1, Block 1 of Harrell Acres, a subdivision of 1.0002 acres in Brazoria County, Texas, according to the map or plat recorded under County Clerk's File No. 2024005826 of the Plat Records of Brazoria County, Texas. Tract 2: Lot 2, Block 1 of Harrell Acres, a subdivision of 2.6622 acres in Brazoria County, Texas, according to the map or plat recorded under County Clerk's File No. 2024005826 of the Plat Records of Brazoria County, Texas. Tract 3: The West 1/2 (4.1098 acres) of Lot 13, being a portion of Johnston Subdivision, a subdivision of the Northwest 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of H.T.&B. section 13, abstract number 240, in Brazoria County, Texas, according to the plat recorded in Volume 5, Page 303 of the Map Records of Brazoria County, Texas (Located East of Harkey Road, South of Josephine Drive, West of Wagon Trail, and North of Fite Road). Zone Change Application No. ZON2026-0292, A request by Adalberto Ruiz, applicant and owner, on behalf of George & Deborah Harrell, owners, for approval of a zone change of approximately 7.77 acres of land, being the entirety of a 1.0002-acre Tract 1, a 2.6622-acre Tract 2, and a 4.1098-acre Tract 3, further described below, from Neighborhood
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Add cost recovery fees for excessive false fire alarms
Second reading amending Chapter 20 Article II to allow city cost recovery from false alarm responders and establish penalties for violations. Affects property owners and alarm system users.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item I: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action – Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. 569-4 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, amending Article II, Alarm Systems, of Chapter 20, Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions, of the City of Pearland Code of Ordinances, for the purpose of providing for the recovery of costs incurred by the city in responding to excessive false fire alarms; providing a penalty for violation; having a savings clause, a severability clause, and a repealer clause; providing for publication, codification, and an effective date. Chapter 20 Article II Alarm Systems 2nd Reading AIR-26-334 - Pdf
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Establish new fee schedule for fiscal year 2027
Second and final reading creating Chapter 33 of city code establishing fees for city services and operations. Creates new fees affecting users of city services.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item H: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action – Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1661 - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pearland, Texas, creating a new chapter in the City Code of Ordinances, to be entitled “Chapter 33 – Fee Schedule”; establishing fees, containing a savings clause, a severability clause, repealing prior ordinances in conflict herewith, providing for codification; providing for publication and an effective date. Adoption of Fees for FY27 AIR-26-401 - Pdf
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Set tax rate of $0.627892 per $100 valuation
Second and final reading establishing city property tax rate for taxable year 2026, including interest and sinking fund. Affects all property taxpayers in Pearland.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item G: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action - Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1660 - An Ordinance adopting a tax rate of $0.627892 and levying taxes for the use and support of the Municipal Government of the City of Pearland, Texas, and providing for the interest and sinking fund of the taxable year 2026. Second Reading of FY27 Tax Rate AIR-26-383 - Pdf
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Adopt fiscal year 2026-2027 budget ordinance
Second and final reading of budget appropriation ordinance for fiscal year October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027, including pay plans. Affects all city operations and taxpayers.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item F: the agenda's words
Consideration and Possible Action – Second and Final Reading of Ordinance No. 1659 - An appropriation Ordinance adopting a budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, and ending September 30, 2027; pay plans for fiscal year 2026-2027; containing a severability clause, a repealer clause; and providing an effective date. Budget Ordinance Second Reading FY27 AIR-26-384 - Pdf
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Planned Development Workshop for 42.9-acre mixed-use residential project
Workshop for a proposed development on 42.9 acres including 72 age-restricted cottages, 153 age-restricted multifamily units, and 180-200 build-to-rent units in Brazoria County. Applicant is Caldwell Companies on behalf of Habari Trust No. 2.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item V.2: the agenda's words
A request by Laurn Randell, Caldwell Companies, applicant, on behalf of Habari Trust No. 2, owner for a Planned Development Workshop as required by the Unified Development Code, regarding a proposed development consisting of 72 age restricted (55+) cottages, 153 age restricted (55+) multifamily units, and between 180 and 200 build-to-rent units (detached, with limited number of attached) on approximately 42.9 acres of land, to wit: Legal Description: A Tract or Parcel of Land containing 42.9 acres (1,868,185 square feet), situated in the H.T. &B.R.R. Co, Survey, Section 80, Abstract No. 564, Brazoria County, Texas, out of Lot 35, Block 80, Allison-Richey Gulf Coast Home Company Subdivision, a subdivision in Brazoria County, Texas, according to the map or plat thereof recorded in Volume 2, Page 98, of the Plat Records of Brazoria County, Texas, and same being out of a called 53.333-acre tract conveyed from Powers/Parker, LLC. to Harbari Trust No. 2 by deed executed on October 13, 1999 as recorded in B.C.C.F. No. 99046949, Brazoria County Official Public Records. General Location: 12151 Magnolia Parkway, Pearland, Texas. ZON2026-0371 Joint Workshop Request AIR-26-382 - Pdf
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Unified Development Code Update discussion
Discussion of updates to the city's development code that governs land use, zoning, and development standards.
Sep 28, 2026 agenda, item V.1: the agenda's words
Discussion: Regarding the Unified Development Code (UDC) Update. Regarding the Unified Development Code (UDC) Update. AIR-26-342 - Pdf
Deed restrictions
Houston has no zoning; deed restrictions are what keep a business out of a neighborhood, and the city's Legal Department enforces them for neighborhoods. Complaints don't go through 311: they go to drcomplaints@houstontx.gov or the city's complaint form.
- Deed restriction cases reviewed and enforced by the city: 530 in 2024-25, an estimated 550 in 2025-26, and a target of 550 for 2026-27. Nuisance lawsuits handled: 15 in 2024-25, an estimated 10 in 2025-26. [City of Houston FY2027 budget, Legal Department]
- The city's list of reported deed restriction violations has not been updated since Oct. 20, 2015. [data.houstontx.gov]
Code enforcement
- 40% of the City of Houston's Neighborhoods code citations and 36% of Public Works citations were dismissed; the top reasons were "Nolle Prosequi" (the city dropped it), "Officer Not Present" and "Insufficient Evidence." Inspectors made 95,688 residential inspections from Jan. 1, 2024. [KPRC, Nov. 21, 2025]
- Code enforcement inspectors from Neighborhoods and Public Works have been merged into one Community Code Enforcement division in Houston Public Works. Targets for 2026-27: 13,500 weeded-lot cuts, 87% voluntary compliance, 325 demolitions. [City of Houston FY2027 budget, Neighborhoods]
- The Municipal Courts do not publish code citations and how each ended (fined, dismissed, deferred), and the city's code violation dataset was last updated in 2023.
Code and nuisance complaints to Houston 311, by type, and the average days each took to close, from the city's 311 extract.
| Case type | Cases | Closed | Average days to close |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking Violation | 1,175 | 643 | 6.3 |
| Traffic Signal Maintenance | 1,162 | 882 | 1.2 |
| Container Replacement | 984 | 945 | 1.4 |
| Weeds/Trash/Stagnant Water on Property | 950 | 88 | 5 |
| Trash Dumping or Illegal Dumpsite | 562 | 179 | 4.8 |
| Traffic Signs | 509 | 367 | 4 |
| New Resident Container | 494 | 471 | 1.3 |
| Building Code Violation | 403 | 337 | 2 |
| Container Repair | 340 | 311 | 1.3 |
| Heavy Trash Code Violation | 335 | 119 | 5.4 |
| Health Code | 261 | 25 | 5.7 |
| Junk Motor Vehicle - Private Property | 163 | 34 | 5.1 |
| Bandit Sign - Right of Way | 157 | 148 | 1.8 |
| Traffic Signals | 104 | 54 | 4.9 |
| Dangerous Buildings | 54 | 12 | 3.9 |
| MultiFamily Habitability Violation | 49 | 28 | 1.8 |
| Fire Code Complaint | 49 | 40 | 2.6 |
| Occupancy Violation | 38 | 36 | 2.4 |
| Container Placement | 25 | 3 | 4 |
| Graffiti on Private/Commercial Property | 12 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Drainage System Violation | 11 | 5 | 4.6 |
| Donation Box Violation | 8 | 6 | 2.1 |
| Sign Code Violation | 7 | 5 | 4.5 |
| Malfunctioning Railroad Signal | 4 | 0 | |
| Graffiti - ATT Telephone Equipment | 4 | 0 |
By council district: A 707 (2.5 days) · B 978 (2 days) · C 1,066 (3.1 days) · D 1,118 (2.6 days) · E 370 (2.2 days) · F 337 (3 days) · G 512 (2 days) · H 1,037 (2.7 days) · I 822 (2.7 days) · J 328 (3.1 days) · K 557 (4.1 days) ·
Ghosts in the machine
These cities pass ordinances, set tax rates and sign contracts, and none of it appears here: their agendas could not be read by machine in the last 90 days (scanned images, script-only pages, or no posted agendas). Unseen is not clean.
- 9,613 residents · Jacinto City (0 agendas read, 0 new items; newest agenda posted is for May 28, 2026)
- 4,385 residents · City of Hunters Creek Village Its website does not answer this site's public-records reader, and has since Oct 23, 2026. Its meeting agendas are public records the city must post under the Texas Open Meetings Act; nothing it approves can be shown here until it lets them be read.
- 3,704 residents · City of Taylor Lake Village Its website answers "forbidden" to this site's public-records reader, and has since Oct 23, 2026. Its meeting agendas are public records the city must post under the Texas Open Meetings Act; nothing it approves can be shown here until it lets them be read.
- 3,128 residents · City of Piney Point Village (0 agendas read, 0 new items)
- 816 residents · City of Hilshire Village (0 agendas read, 0 new items)
Scorecard, last 12 months
Points: New rules 3 · Money 4 · Surveillance 4 · Land control 3 · Strings attached 2 · Secrecy 2 · Rollback −3 · the same weights The Fine Print uses everywhere. The Fuckery Meter adds tax rates, consent agendas, closed sessions, missing notice and withheld records.