ISSUE 6 · SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2026 · LIFE BY DESIGN, NOT DEFAULT
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND This Week |
Photo: Grguy2011 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Monday, November 2, the empty land along Broadway gets its hearing. At 6 p.m. the Planning and Zoning Commission takes up a plan for up to 315 apartments in two four-story buildings at Broadway and Oak Road. Council turned down an earlier version last November; this time city staff recommends approval. The same night, the commission hears 191 build-to-rent townhomes on Smith Road and a small rezoning on Main Street.
Tuesday is Election Day, and the forecast calls for storms. Thursday brings the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Library Board. One thing is still missing: no minutes or results from the Oct 12 or Oct 26 council meetings are posted.
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Liberty Watch |
Photo: Grguy2011 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
315 apartments proposed, Broadway & Oak | 191 rental townhomes proposed, Smith Rd. | Nov 3 Election Day, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. | 0 council results posted since Oct 12 |
Monday, November 2, 6 p.m. — Planning & Zoning Commission, Council Chambers, 3519 Liberty Dr. The commission recommends; council makes the final call on each zone change later. On the agenda:
- Broadway and Oak Road (ZON2026-0447), public hearing: 13.303 acres from General Business to a Planned Development with apartments and shops. Details in Mapping Our Community.
- Smith Road (ZON2026-0355), public hearing: 20 acres at 2905 and 2941 Smith Road, from General Business to a Planned Development for up to 191 build-to-rent townhomes in two-story buildings of three and four units, with a clubhouse, pool and two dog parks. City staff recommends denial of the Smith Road townhome plan. Its report says the developer asks for smaller lots, less open space and fewer shade trees, and wants to pay into escrow instead of building its share of Ower Lane, and that the plan does not offer enough in return.
- Main Street (ZON2026-0453), public hearing: about 1.575 acres north of 4030 Main Street, from Heavy Industrial to General Commercial, to line up with the commercial land to the north. Staff recommends approval.
- Also: a lot-depth variance for a half-acre lot at 5109 Main Street, and, on consent, the final plat of Arcadian Estates Section 5 (8 lots on 5.48 acres south of Old Massey Ranch Road) and the Oct 5 minutes.
The Hillhouse Road and Clear Creek rezoning requests from the canceled Oct 19 meeting are not on Monday’s agenda, and no new date is posted. The agenda lists a special P&Z meeting Monday, Nov 9 at 6 p.m. in the PEDC Boardroom, and the next regular meeting Nov 30.
Thursday, November 5, 6 p.m. — Zoning Board of Adjustment, Council Chambers. Two special exceptions: R.I.S.E. Senior Connections & Adult Day Center asks to change a nonconforming child day care use at 2335 N. Texas Ave., Suite 101 (city-owned) to an adult day care, and CMD Investments asks for off-site parking at 3221 and 3225 S. Main St.
Thursday, November 5, 7 p.m. — Library Board, Tom Reid Library, 3522 Liberty Dr. New members are introduced, the board discusses the 2027 library budget, and it votes on moving its January meeting from Jan 21 to Jan 14. Citizen comments are on the agenda.
Council: the minutes of the Oct 12 meeting were not on the Oct 26 agenda, which approved only September’s, and the city’s meeting pages link no minutes or results for Oct 12 or Oct 26. So we cannot tell you how council voted on the Main Street gas station and car wash. No November council meeting is posted yet. Separately, the city posted notice that a quorum of council may attend a BayTran Galveston County mayoral panel Monday at 11 a.m. in League City; no action is taken there.
Sources: Nov 2 P&Z agenda packet · P&Z page · Nov 5 ZBA packet · Nov 5 Library Board agenda · BayTran notice · Oct 12 council page · Oct 26 council page
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Mapping Our Community: 315 Apartments Proposed at Broadway and Oak Road |
Units per gross acre, building height in feet, lot coverage in %. Source: staff report PZ-26-107, Table 7
The land is the southeast corner of Broadway Street (FM 518) and Oak Road: 13.303 acres, vacant, never platted, annexed in 1995 and 1999. FM 529 Ventures, LLC (applicant Alan Mueller) proposes up to 315 apartments in two four-story buildings on 8.7 gross acres (7.8 net), with surface parking, and one commercial parcel of about 4 acres along Broadway. Three of every four units would be one-bedroom (235), the rest two-bedroom (80).
315 apartments, two buildings | 4 stories (55 ft max) | 6,500 sq. ft. of shops before the first move-in |
What changed since council said no: council denied the first version on Nov 17, 2025. The new plan promises at least 6,500 square feet of commercial space before the first apartment is occupied (up from 5,000), a traffic signal at Oak Road and Broadway (contingent on TxDOT), police-connected license plate reader cameras on Oak Road in both directions, more brick and stone, balconies on at least 200 units, a 6-foot masonry fence on the south side, and land for the city near Pearland Parkway at Mary’s Creek: about 2 acres for parkland, plus one more acre offered in place of $375,000 in tree mitigation.
What staff says: the shops fit the city’s plan for that corner; the apartments do not fit the “Compact Residential” label on the future land use map, but sit next to existing apartments to the south and west and inside the Broadway/Cullen “catalyst” area. Staff supports every requested exception and recommends approval. North across Broadway, the staff table lists the future Pearland Asian Town. The site is in the 500-year floodplain, with a 37,800-square-foot detention pond planned. Staff had received no public comments, for or against, when it wrote the report.
The lens worth keeping: a Planned Development trades exceptions to the code for things the city would not otherwise get. Ask whether the trade is worth it: does a signal, cameras and land at Mary’s Creek balance more than twice the code’s density?
Sources: Staff report PZ-26-107 (P&Z packet, pp. 93-142) · P&Z page
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND From the Council This Week |
 | MONDAY, NOV 2 · THE CHIEF OF STAFF I Hold the Map While You Run the Terrain |
Every piece, every figure linked to its source: councilonlocalrelations.org
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Around the Block |
Photo: formulanone / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
| Bookworms book club — 6:30–8:30 p.m., Pearland Library, 3522 Liberty Dr. This month: “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Baby Bounce story and play runs that morning at both libraries. | ||
| Election Day — polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Also: Toddler Storytime (“Apples,” ages 1–3), Pearland Library, 3522 Liberty Dr., 10:15–11:00 a.m., with a second session 11:15 a.m.–noon. | ||
| Big Blue Blocks Family Fun Night — 6 p.m., Pearland Library. Earlier, Preschool Storytime (ages 3–5; ticket required, handed out 15 minutes before) at West Pearland Library, 11801 Shadow Creek Pkwy., 10:15–11:15 a.m., with a second session 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | ||
| Adult Weaving (Art Club) — ages 19 and up, make a coaster on a cardboard loom while supplies last, West Pearland Library, Meeting Room 1: 2–3 p.m., with a second session 6:30–7:30 p.m. Preschool Storytime (“Apples”) 10:30–11:00 a.m., Pearland Library. |
Run a Pearland event? Send it by Thursday.
Sources: Bookworms · Toddler Storytime, 10:15 · Toddler Storytime, 11:15 · Big Blue Blocks · West Pearland Preschool Storytime, 10:15 · Preschool Storytime, 11:15 · Weaving, 2 p.m. · Weaving, 6:30 p.m. · Baby Bounce, Pearland · Baby Bounce, West Pearland · Pearland Preschool Storytime · Election Day hours
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Prosperity Spotlight |
Window Box Florist — a Broadway flower shop since 1985
The shop at 3810 East Broadway was run by the Garden family from 1985, its website says. Today it is family-owned and operated by Dan Hinson, his wife Vippi and their daughter Sarah. Dan came to flowers after service in the Marine Corps and decades in accounting and construction, and took over both the Pearland shop and Mainland Floral in Galveston, which the Mail family had run since 1935. The two now work under one name; the sign over the Pearland door reads “The Wyndowbox Florist.”
Besides same-day arrangements, the shop lists weddings and events, balloon arches and plantscaping services, and says it is the premier flower supplier for cruise ships in the Port of Galveston. The family works with local veterans through the Marine Corps League.
| Window Box Florist · 3810 East Broadway, Pearland · 281-485-3229 Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m. · Sat 9 a.m.–noon · Sun closed · windowboxflorist.com |
Sources: Our History · Our Story · Hours & Locations
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Food Scene |
Photo: Phở L’amour website
Phở L’amour
Phở L’amour Noodles & Grill has served Vietnamese food on Shadow Creek Parkway since 2018, its website says, with a menu it describes as drawn from “centuries of family cooking,” traditional and new.
The name says where to start: a bowl of pho. The plate above is the other half of the menu, grilled meat over rice with shrimp, an egg roll and a fried egg.
| Phở L’amour · 11901 Shadow Creek Pkwy., Suite 103, Pearland · 281-741-6777 Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–9 p.m. · Sun 10 a.m.–8 p.m., per the restaurant’s website. Call before you go. · pholamour.com |
Sources: Phở L’amour (hours) · About
✦ Trivia Question |
Pearland is named for its pear trees. But when its post office opened in 1893, the town briefly had a different name. What was it? (Answer at the bottom.)
✦ Quote of the Day |
“The elective mode of obtaining rulers is the characteristic policy of republican government.” — Publius, The Federalist No. 57, Feb. 19, 1788 (Avalon Project)
✦ Secret Little Hack |
A Planning & Zoning packet can run 140 pages, but you only need one report. The first few pages are the agenda; each item names a case number (like ZON2026-0447). Search the PDF for that number and jump to its staff report, which opens with a summary and includes the staff recommendation and any public comments received. Monday’s packet is here.
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Real Estate Pulse |
Source: HAR Pearland price trends, rental table, read Oct 31
$2,500 median rent, homes leased (Sep) | +4.2% vs. Sept 2025 | $382,000 median sold price (Sep) | 107 single-family sales (Sep) |
With apartments and rental townhomes on Monday’s agenda, this week we look at renting. HAR’s tables run through September: homes leased in Pearland that month had a median rent of $2,500, up from $2,400 a year earlier, across 68 leases (55 a year ago). On the buying side, 107 single-family homes sold in September at a median $382,000, the same count as September 2025, when the median was $385,000. October figures are not in yet. Your move: if you rent, compare your renewal offer with that $2,500 median before you sign.
Sources: HAR — Pearland price trends (rental and single-family sold tables, through Sep 2026)
| Looking to buy or sell? Nina Bright, Realtor — call or text 832-689-3170. Full disclosure: Nina is David’s wife. |
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Service Opportunities |
Photo: City of Pearland
Boards: the Library Board welcomes new members on Thursday, and the city’s meetings portal shows an “Apply” link beside the boards that take applications. Animals: the city’s Animal Services page has a volunteer sign-up and a foster program; call the shelter at 281-652-1970.
Sources: City boards and commissions (meetings portal)
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Adopt a Friend |
 | Meet Steinway About 4 years · Male (neutered) · Labrador Retriever mix Black and white, and at the shelter since April 21, 2026. Ask for him by name. See Steinway’s listing → |
| Shari D. Coleman Animal Shelter & Adoption Center (Pearland Animal Services) · 8311 Freedom Drive, Pearland · 281-652-1970 Wed–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed Mon–Tue; viewing ends 30 minutes before closing) · adoption page |
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Growth & Learning |
Illustration
Monday’s apartment plan asks for 36.2 homes per acre, the staff report’s own figure, more than twice the 16 the city code allows. Try the math with your kids: count the houses on your block, guess how many acres it covers (a football field with end zones is about 1.3 acres), and divide. Then compare your street with the plan’s 36 homes per acre and talk about what changes when a neighborhood gets denser: traffic, parks, shops in walking distance. More at unrivaledacademy.com.
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Local Theory & Remnant Radio |
 | Now playing: Rehearsal — Local Theory (April 2, 2026 · 8 tracks). Listen. Remnant Radio streams the whole catalog 24/7 at radio.thinkandactlocally.com · Spotify. Thirteen releases. Sovereignty through sound. In the Studio now: DOWN TO THE STUDS. Vote on the mixes. |
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Weather Forecast |
Sun  Partly sunny 83° 69° | Mon  Partly sunny 84° 71° | Tue  Storms likely 82° 61° | Wed  Sunny 75° 58° | Thu  Sunny 76° 58° | Fri Sunny 75° 56° |
Patchy fog early Sunday, then partly sunny near 83. Monday stays warm, near 84, for the evening hearings. Election Day brings showers and thunderstorms: Tuesday’s chance of rain is 90%, with the heaviest rain forecast from noon on, so vote early in the day if you can. A front follows: Wednesday through Friday are sunny with highs of 75, 76 and 75 and lows of 58, 58 and 56.
Sources: National Weather Service (HGX), forecast updated Oct 31, 1:21 p.m. CT
✦ CrowdHealth |
 | David and his family left traditional health insurance for CrowdHealth — a community that funds each other’s medical bills. Bills get negotiated down first. See how it works. We earn a referral if you join. CrowdHealth is not insurance. David is a paying member. |
✦ Unrivaled Travels |
 | Planning a trip worth taking? Our own travel service books the expedition, cruise, or getaway you’ll remember. info@unrivaledtravels.com · 281-241-1994 · unrivaledtravels.com One of our own businesses. |
✦ Unrivaled Candles |
 | Hand-poured jewelry candles — every one hides a piece of jewelry inside, valued from $10 to $10,000. Burn it down and find out what’s yours. Shop Unrivaled Candles. Full disclosure: one of our own businesses. |
✦ Unrivaled Marketing Solutions |
 | You built the business — now make sure your Pearland neighbors can find it. Book a free 15-minute call with David: we’ll look at how your business shows up online and where customers may be slipping past. If you want us to fix it, that’s paid work, and David will go over the price on the call. Book a free 15-minute call. One of our own businesses. |
✦ Sponsor Spot |
This spot is open. Sponsor this spot — reach Pearland neighbors every Sunday, in the one inbox they actually read. Reply to book it.
✦ They Told Him He Was Crazy |
David sold his metals. Not trimmed — sold. He kept the receipts, every decision sourced, so you can decide for yourself: conviction, or crazy? Read the filing →
David’s own site.
✦ Tuttle Twins: Money skills, starting in 4th grade |
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As a Tuttle Twins affiliate, TAAL may earn a commission if you buy through our link.
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Community Voices |
Would you rather see apartments, rental townhomes or shops on the empty land along Broadway? What would you tell Planning & Zoning on Monday? Hit reply — one or two sentences — and we’ll run the best next Sunday.
✦ Take Action |
- Speak at Planning & Zoning: Monday, Nov 2, 6 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers, 3519 Liberty Dr. Three of Monday’s items are public hearings: Broadway and Oak Road, Smith Road, and Main Street north of 4030 Main Street.
- Vote: Tuesday, Nov 3. Find your polling place with the state’s “Am I Registered?” search on VoteTexas.gov. Bring a rain jacket.
- Meet Steinway: he has been at the shelter, 8311 Freedom Dr., since April 21. Call 281-652-1970 before you go.
✦ Submit Your Content |
Events, business features, volunteer calls, letters from Pearland: david@thinkandactlocally.com. Deadline: Thursday 5 PM for Sunday.
✦ Answer to Trivia |
Mark Belt. A post office opened under that name in 1893; the name changed to Pearland in November of that year “because of the abundance of pear trees in the community” (Handbook of Texas).
THE HERALD ✦ PEARLAND Keep the Herald Free |
No advertiser sets our coverage — readers keep it alive. The best thing you can do costs nothing: forward this to a neighbor near Broadway and Oak Road or on Smith Road who has not seen the sign on the empty lot.
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The Herald is published by Think and Act Locally. Its facts come from the public record kept by the Council on Local Relations, which shares a founder with Think and Act Locally. Portions drafted with AI assistance and reviewed before publication. Reply anytime: david@thinkandactlocally.com.
