KAREN FORD OPEN OFFICE HOURS ON FRIDAY TO DISCUSS PROPOSED HAYS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
In August of 2006, the Hays County Commissioners Court began the process to
amend existing development regulations and adopt new ones
related to minimum lot size and groundwater management in our fast-growing community. Since that time, there
have been 18 public hearings and/or public meetings, plus commissioners meetings
that were open and public, on the matter. Nevertheless, there still seems to be quite a bit of
confusion and concern recently stirred up regarding the proposed development regulations.
For those not familiar with the general gist of the proposed regulations, they call for a minimum lot size of 6.5 acres for development that is solely dependent on groundwater (that is, new development that would rely solely on well water for its water source). This minimum size comes in the wake of the State of Texas deeming our part of the county as a Priority Groundwater Management Area (that is, a region where groundwater supplies cannot provide for projected demand) and is based on consulting firm studies and recommendations (and is actually a considerably smaller minimum lot size than other numbers we've heard bandied about). Further, as we understand it, there are options in the regulations that would allow for increased density such as lot size averaging, incorporation of rainwater as a supplemental water supply, transfer of development rights, inclusion of other available water supplies, and "innovative development and water conservation strategies".
Note that lot sizing for any development on an approved public water supply continues to use the current lot size standards. The City of Dripping Springs and areas of the ETJ served by LCRA water will not be affected by this regulation.
As with just about any issue regarding land, some local folks are fer it and some a'gin it. Work on these regulations began before Precinct 4 County Commissioner Karen Ford took office, but they are in her court now, so to speak, and to hopefully help us understand what we're for or against, she is holding open office hours on Friday from 3:00PM - 5:00PM to discuss the proposed development regulations with anyone who cares to stop by. Her office is in the new Precinct 4 offices at 195 Roger Hanks Parkway here in Dripping.
For those not familiar with the general gist of the proposed regulations, they call for a minimum lot size of 6.5 acres for development that is solely dependent on groundwater (that is, new development that would rely solely on well water for its water source). This minimum size comes in the wake of the State of Texas deeming our part of the county as a Priority Groundwater Management Area (that is, a region where groundwater supplies cannot provide for projected demand) and is based on consulting firm studies and recommendations (and is actually a considerably smaller minimum lot size than other numbers we've heard bandied about). Further, as we understand it, there are options in the regulations that would allow for increased density such as lot size averaging, incorporation of rainwater as a supplemental water supply, transfer of development rights, inclusion of other available water supplies, and "innovative development and water conservation strategies".
Note that lot sizing for any development on an approved public water supply continues to use the current lot size standards. The City of Dripping Springs and areas of the ETJ served by LCRA water will not be affected by this regulation.
As with just about any issue regarding land, some local folks are fer it and some a'gin it. Work on these regulations began before Precinct 4 County Commissioner Karen Ford took office, but they are in her court now, so to speak, and to hopefully help us understand what we're for or against, she is holding open office hours on Friday from 3:00PM - 5:00PM to discuss the proposed development regulations with anyone who cares to stop by. Her office is in the new Precinct 4 offices at 195 Roger Hanks Parkway here in Dripping.
Posted by DSBabble.com at Thursday, May 28, 2009 6:14 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: dripping springs hays county groundwater karen ford
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: dripping springs hays county groundwater karen ford
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