Planning Commission


Agendas and Minutes

Lya Coulter

Planning Commission President | Term Expires: July 2027

Lya Coulter is currently serving her third appointment to the City of Pattison Planning Commission and has called Pattison home since 2017. A retired U.S. Army officer, Lya continued her public service with the U.S. Department of Justice as an analyst in Atlanta before relocating to the Houston area more than 20 years ago. She holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern California, earned during a one-year assignment in the Republic of Korea. Throughout her career, she has worked on collaborative public safety and community development initiatives, served on the board of the Warren/Holyfield Boys & Girls Club, and participated in scholarship programs through a national public service organization.

Lya became involved with the City of Pattison after she and her husband, Kenneth, began attending City Council meetings. She is passionate about ensuring residents have a voice in Pattison’s future and is committed to promoting thoughtful growth through balanced zoning, while advocating for essential infrastructure improvements such as sewage and drainage services. She also encourages community members to become involved by serving on the Planning Commission. Outside of her municipal service, Lya volunteers with her church, an international public service organization, and participates in City of Pattison events. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing at home and watching the rabbits and birds that visit her yard.
Debra Reyes

Planning Commission Secretary | Term Expires: July 2027

Debra Maritza Reyes has proudly served on the City of Pattison Planning Commission since 2021 and has called Pattison home for the past four years. She currently works as an estimator for a precast concrete company and serves as Secretary of the Planning Commission. Through her service, Debra is committed to supporting thoughtful growth and development within the community. Her priorities for Pattison include updating and enforcing city ordinances and implementing effective zoning practices to help preserve the community’s character while planning for the future.

Debra is an active member of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas and attends First Baptist Church of Brookshire. She has been married to her husband, Israel, since 2002, and together they have four children, many grandchildren, two dogs, and a cat. In her free time, Debra enjoys researching family genealogy, studying Texas history, baking, and crafting. She values community involvement and is dedicated to helping make Pattison a great place to live for.
Princella Lazard

Planning Commission Member | Term Expires: July 2027

Princella Beckley Lazard is a proud native of Pattison, Texas, and has called the community home for more than 50 years. She also served on the City of Pattison Planning Commission for four years and holds credentials as a Texas Notary Public and an Educational Secretary III Permanent Certificate from the Texas State Board of Education. She began her education at Clemons Elementary School in Pattison, attended Ralph J. Bunche Junior High School in Brookshire, and graduated from Royal Junior and Senior High School. She later continued her studies at Prairie View A&M University. Princella retired from Katy Independent School District after 27 years of service, including 26 years in the Accounting Department. She also served for 18 years with the Royal Independent School District in a variety of roles. In addition, she has spent nearly three decades working in real estate management.

Beyond her professional career, Princella has remained deeply committed to serving her church and community. Her church involvement includes teaching youth Sunday School, singing in the choir, and serving as Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School. Princella is known for her love of people, dedication to teamwork, and positive outlook on life. She believes in helping others, working together for the good of the community, and living by her personal motto: “Have positive thinking in your everyday life.”
Christina Lazard

Planning Commission Member | Term Expires: July 2026

Christina Lazard has served on the Pattison Planning Commission for one year and is a lifelong resident of Pattison. While pursuing her Bachelor’s degree, Christina developed a strong interest in the sciences and earned a degree in Biology. She subsequently completed a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration. Christina works in the healthcare field, where she manages the full lifecycle of grant‑funded programs. Her responsibilities include identifying funding opportunities, preparing and submitting proposals, coordinating required documentation, and ensuring compliance with application guidelines. She also oversees post‑award activities such as monitoring project performance, managing financial reporting, tracking expenditures, and ensuring responsible use of funds in alignment with federal, state, and organizational standards. Her experience in analysis, strategic planning, and financial oversight strengthens her ability to support thoughtful, informed decision‑making for Pattison.

Christina chose to serve on the Planning Commission because she cares deeply about helping Pattison grow in a way that protects its rural character while supporting the needs of local families. Her key priority is responsible growth and land‑use planning, with a focus on guiding development that aligns with the city’s long‑term vision and preserves the community’s unique identity. Outside of her service, she enjoys gardening, music, and spending time with her family. She is married and a proud mom of two, and she shares her home with a pet rabbit and a cat. Christina values the close‑knit community that has shaped her life in Pattison and remains committed to serving it with integrity and care.
Rick Vargas

Planning Commission Member | Term Expires: July 2028

Rick Vargas is a dedicated Pattison resident of nearly two years and a newcomer to local civic involvement, bringing fresh perspective and strong business leadership to the community. A graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in Business Administration, Rick is the owner of Vargas Agency, a Home, Auto, Life, and Commercial Insurance firm serving clients across Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Georgia, Washington, and additional states.
Rick is an active leader in the greater West Houston region, serving on the Board of the Fulshear Area Chamber of Commerce, participating as a member of Rotary Katy, and engaging consistently with the Katy and Brookshire communities. His top priorities for Pattison are community engagement and business development, with a focus on strengthening local connections and supporting sustainable growth.

Deeply committed to service, Rick continues to invest his time in organizations that uplift and unify the community. He and his wife, Angela, have been married for 20 years and are proud parents to their daughter, Ofellia. As a family, they love to travel and remain devoted to contributing positively to the place they call home.

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