Pearland City Council denied a conditional use permit request to build an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, on a home, citing concerns that the space could be used in the future to rent to non-family members.

The context: In February, the city banned short-term rentals in areas zoned for residential use, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.

The details: Pearland City Council voted 3-4 to deny an amended motion to Pearland resident David Deriso to build a 665-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom addition to his home’s garage at its Feb. 23 meeting. 

The debate: Deriso said he intended to build the unit for his mother to live in and age with dignity, and he had no intention of using the ADU as a rental in the future.

Another point of view: However, some council members expressed concern that the space could be used as a short-term rental decades from now if the property were sold.

While performance in AP exams and dual credit is on the rise at Friendswood ISD, district officials are looking to reshape its career and technical education, or CTE, pathways and industry certifications to leave no student behind. 

At a glance: Currently, nearly 85% of students met the college, career and military readiness, or CCMR, indicator, which requires students to earn an industry-based certification, or IBC, plus a concentrator, in which a student has taken at least two courses in the same CTE program of study. 

Looking ahead: The district plans to increase its CCMR score to 92% by the 2030-31 school year through a five-year plan.

Also of note: While strides are being made to include all students in finding their pathway, the American College Test, or ACT, scores have steady increased at FISD, exceeding state averages.

Additionally, 90% of FISD students scored a three or above on AP tests, which allowed them to earn college credit for the course.

Select Houston-area residents who have the Waymo app downloaded are now able to take the first public rides in the fully autonomous vehicles, the company announced via news release Feb. 24.

What you need to know: Waymo will continue to invite new riders on a rolling basis to use the service as it kicks off service in Houston. Its service area in the city includes The Heights, downtown Houston and Montrose. Service will open to everyone later this year, according to the release.

Some context: The company previously announced its expansion to Houston last fall, Community Impact previously reported.

Quote of note: “I'm thrilled that we are now launching limited access public rides here in Houston,” Houston City Council member Sallie Alcorn said via news release. “It will give both Houstonians and visitors another safe, high-tech way to get around during exciting upcoming events like the World Baseball Classic and the World Cup."