Convenience Big Store: 6,800 Fort Bend homes built on floodplains post-Harvery, investigation shows

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In a rare move, TCEQ crushes plans for a controversial Fort Bend plant.

In my all my years of reporting, I've seen Fort Bend County united on all of two issues. One, the Fort Bend County Fair is a hallowed cultural event, and two, a concrete crushing plant in a heavily residential area is an absolutely horrible idea.

No one in the area wanted the plant, which most certainly would have had us all gasping for air, but the company behind it pushed full-steam ahead with plans, disregarding all pleas and protests.

This week in Austin, officials sided with the residents, school board leaders and county officials on the controversial plant, voiding the plans.

Our environmental reporter Rebekah Ward and I have been covering this story as it unfolded over the past year. I'll be honest, I didn't think the county would win this one. It's quite rare in Texas.

What do you think about residents' big win on this? Let's chat about it.

Claire Goodman, Katy reporter

claire.goodman@houstonchronicle.com

Latest Developments

Illustration for Houston flood-prone construction project.

Photo by: Susan Barber/Houston Chronicle

6,800 homes Fort Bend homes built on floodplain post-Harvey

Weak regulations, gaps in flood disclosure laws and political influence allow growth in floodplains with few safeguards.

Your Schools

Luz Aguilar works with her first graders at Cypresswood Elementary in Aldine ISD in Houston, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. Aldine ISD is one of the most improved school districts in the Houston area in 2025 TEA A-F ratings, increasing the district's overall score by 10 points in two years.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

Reading and math scores for high school seniors have hit new lows

Students nearing high school graduation scored lower than ever before in national math and reading tests in 2024.

Your Government

Karen Jennings addresses representatives of Julpit Rock Crusher plant and TCEQ during a public meeting for the proposed cement crushing facility in Rosharon on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle

Exclusive: TCEQ voids rock crusher's efforts to open in growing Fort Bend suburb

After months of resistance from Fort Bend residents, environmental officials denied a pending permit for rock crusher Julpit, Inc.

Town Square

Congratulations to the three Taylor High School FFA members who were awarded scholarships through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the State FFA Convention. Collectively, the students earned $86,000 in scholarships to continue their education.

Jacob Baker received a $20,000 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Metropolitan Scholarship, a $10,000 Richard Wallrath Educational Foundation Scholarship and a $20,000 Rotary Club of Katy Scholarship.

Madelyn Roxburgh earned a $20,000 San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship.

Tristan Gore was awarded a $16,000 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship.

Stay in the Know

Christmas may still be months away, but plans are under way for a new holiday attraction coming to Katy. Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas, the popular immersive holiday light and experience, announced this week that this year's attraction will take place at Katy Mills Mall.

Last Thoughts

A group of researchers, including multiple from Texas, wants Chagas disease to be classified as an endemic disease in the U.S., Peter Warren tells us.

Chagas disease is a condition caused by a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, according to the CDC.

Kissing bugs, which are small bugs that feed on blood and have been found in 29 states, can carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease, according to the kissing bug community program at Texas A&M University.