The city of Katy has updated its platting procedures to get developments approved and processed more quickly. 

In a nutshell: At an Oct. 26 meeting, Katy City Council voted to amend its subdivision regulations for plats, which Mayor Pro Tem Gina Hicks said now comply with state regulations. 

City Planner Rachel Lazo said plats would not come to council, but changes to planned development districts, zoning, new tracts or changes to lot sizes would. The change aims to cut down on the time it takes for approval of certain plats. 

Administrative or final plats would now be approved by the city’s community development director or their designee, according to agenda documents. Preliminary plats and all plats requiring a public hearing would be approved by the planning and zoning commission.

Also on the agenda: Council also approved a contract for the planning and zoning commission to livestream its meetings beginning Nov. 10, city officials said.

Cajun's City Seafood and Wings has opened its doors in Katy, restaurant officials confirmed.

On the menu: The restaurant offers a variety of Creole cuisine including crawfish fried rice, turkey neck, po-boys, seafood boils and whole chicken wings, according to its website.

Keep in mind: Cajun’s City has another location in Houston on Kuykendahl Road and one in Georgia, per its website. 

• 1230 N. Mason Road, Ste. 700, Katy

Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones announced Oct. 28 that the precinct, alongside partners, is investing $80.2 million in 10 infrastructure projects.

The big picture: The funding is awarded through Places 4 People, a community development grant process that partners with local organizations. The 2026 projects will benefit 525,000 residents and focus on infrastructure, including:

• Drainage

• Intersection improvements

• Roadway improvements

• Sidewalks

• Trails

Zooming in: From 2024 to 2026, the initiative has invested nearly $333 million in 69 infrastructure projects. Partners for the projects include the City of Houston, the Houston Parks Board, municipal utility districts and tax increment reinvestment zones, some of which match or contribute funding.

One project, involving roadway improvements along Westgreen Boulevard and West Little York Road, is expected to ease daily traffic and help Cy-Fair ISD students have an uninterrupted route to school.

Harris County Public Health launched a new localized dashboard Oct. 28 to identify health inequities and disparities.

How it works: The tool compiles national, state and local data into zip code-specific information for Harris County. The dashboard maps a variety of data, including air pollution, walkability, life expectancy and colorectal cancer screenings.

The dashboard features more than 60 health indicators across five domains:

• Chronic and behavioral health

• Housing and economic conditions

• Neighborhood environment and conditions

• Population health and prevention

• Social and community conditions

The local impact: The data reaffirmed a known pattern of less healthy neighborhoods known as the Houston arrow, which consists of connected zip codes around downtown Houston stretching into north and south Harris County.

Harris County Public Health plans to incorporate these findings into future strategic plans and initiatives. Additionally, the department is recruiting members to policy work groups to help develop actionable policy recommendations based on the data.