A slew of variances were discussed with approval on most in regards to The Legends of Comanche Moon Phases III and IV.
The project, according to the website, is a recreational private gated community spanning 2,300 acres at the north portion of Erath County. Each owned property starts at seven acres and is meant to be utilized as a get-a-way for those wanting to escape for a weekend etc. featuring smaller ‘tiny’ homes.
The court addressed a variance request which would allow less than the required 500-foot visibility on subdivided tracts. The ordinance requires that there would be 500foot of visibility for all parts of ingress/egress when entering the roadway for safety reasons.
Subdivision Coordinator Jason Gardner asked the court to keep the public’s health and safety in mind along with the subdivision not having public water to fight fires.
“This is a straightforward safety issue,” Commissioner Albert Ray said.
“Because of the subdivision’s extremely mountainous topography and the road design its topography makes necessary, the overall size of the development and the large multi-acre lot size in Phase II and IV, the 500 foot visibility goal is not met in a few cases,” Platting Coordinator for the project Teresa McGee said.
McGee added that it would not be detrimental to public health due to the low speed limit (40 mph), the topography and the way the roads will be laid out. It should also be low volume since the project is not a typical residential neighborhood.
“This will be a recreational development, just like the first two phases were. Without the variance it would cause a hardship financially to multiple parties and the topography makes it almost impossible in some of these areas,” she said.
Commissioner Dee Stephens inquired to how many lots would be affected by the variance and McGee stated approximately 15% of the 73 lots in Phase III and IV.
“I don’t think giving the 500 foot variance is going to be an issue because it’s so low volume. It’s hard to get 500 foot visibility because of typography. I don’t have a problem with it,” Commissioner Jim Buck said.
“I think they need to get the visibility as much as possible. I understand they may not be able to get 500 but they need to do everything possible to make it safer,” Ray said.
The court unanimously approved the variance with mandating additional warning signage throughout the subdivision.
Variances were also approved without discussion on the cul-de-sac length, lot requirements on those surrounding the cul-desacs, and block lengths for streets.
A variance for roadway layout was denied after concerns of their being only one entrance and exit for the subdivision.
“I worry about this one,” County Judge Brandon Huckabee said. Without a second entrance and exit, it would be virtually impossible to fight a fire, especially since water would need to be shuttled back and forth.
Per the subdivision ordinance, 75 lots and over must have two, while the International Fire Code drops that number to 30.
“We also share your concerns. Part of the challenge is that we are a little bit land locked,” Skip Cannon, a representative for the project said.
A discussion between the court and the representative took place to try to figure out a second entrance/exit.
“Any solution where we could get emergency services in and out would be helpful,” Huckabee said. “It would only be beneficial to everyone there to allow access. It’s hard to fight fires in that part of the county because of the topography.”
In public comments, Joanna Friebele spoke about an Oncor transmission line whose proposed route is being researched with the possibility of coming through Erath County.
A public meeting for feedback was held Wednesday, June 4.
“I don’t know if any of you were at the meeting the other day, but you’ve noticed the turnout at that meeting was packed more than any other county,” she said. “People are concerned. People are worried about it and don’t really understand what is going on.”
Friebele asked the commissioners and county judge what their involvement would be on the proposed project.
“I want to know if you’ve thought about doing a regional 391 with the other counties to discuss this, and protect the residents of this county. I want you to put it on the new business portion of this agenda if you can, and discuss it,” she said.
During new business, Judge Huckabee stated he had been in talks to set up a meeting with Oncor and their staff, especially since the county’s new communication tower project could be impacted by the height of the proposed Oncor lines.
“My only commitment is do everything I can to protect the county regarding that project and to have a good dialogue with them,” he said.
Numerous individuals had reached out to Huckabee and copied him on communication between themselves and Oncor.
“Let’s not get into fighting matches between the north, east, south and west part of the county,” he said. “I’m not going to tell you they aren’t going to come through Erath County, and not everyone will be happy.”
Huckabee promised to keep everyone updated.
In other business the court:
■ approved continuing the county’s depository account with Interbank and sub-depository accounts with First Financial Bank and Bank of Houston in Dublin. “This is how we have it set up now,” Huckabee said. “We use all three banks and they have been great partners.”
■ approved a memorandum of understanding between the county and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville in order to potentially get medication cheaper for those in the indigent care program. The MOU is at no cost to the county.
■ approved to dispose of a 2019 Chevy Tahoe from ECSO through public auction
■ approved a slew of road bore permits for CR 397, 401, 403, 151, 156,149, Glenn Cemetery Road, 403, 419, 422,471 and 541. The bores are in conjunction with a gas pipeline project.
■ gave approval to Precinct 2 to clear right-of-way on CR 365 in regards to dead trees to aid with drainage