DRIPPING SPRINGS BABBLE: HAYS COUNTY APPROVES NEW SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS

HAYS COUNTY APPROVES NEW SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS

The Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday finalized and approved new development standards designed to protect residents’ health and welfare as well as to conserve water resources. The changes address problems caused by significant population growth and development in unincorporated areas of the county and a groundwater supply that is not expected to keep up with demand.

Water availability and stewardship, especially in the Priority Groundwater Management Areas defined by the Texas Water Development Board, was a major focus of the regulation process.

“The new regulations also make it easier for the public to have input into the development process by requiring better notification from developers about intended development,” said Jerry Borcherding, P.E., director of the Hays County Resource Protection, Transportation and Planning Division, which oversees subdivision regulations. “The County also plans to make development applications more readily available for viewing by interested persons via electronic media and by maintaining hard-copy lists at key offices.”

Under the new regulations, lots must be a minimum of six acres to support an individual well in Priority Groundwater Management Areas, which are determined by the Texas Water Development Board. Developers who plan to use rainwater collection as part of their water-supply system must have the system engineered to ensure the size is adequate.

Developers also now have more stringent requirements to post notices of intent to develop on tracts of land and developers of large areas (50 lots or 50 acres in size) must sponsor a public meeting before applying to the County for development authority and must invite neighboring landowners.

Other changes for new development include:
-Utility providers must verify that a lot is legal (platted or exempt from plat requirements) before delivering services
-Public water providers must certify that they can provide water for all phases of a development
-Commercial properties can no longer use spray systems for on-site sewage facilities and residential users must have a minimum one-acre lot
-Set-backs have been increased for all on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs)
-Non-residential OSSFs must include a hydraulic equalization tank prior to the treatment system
-New rules for storm water management facilities
-All existing and new lots — residential and commercial – with advanced septic systems (Class 1) are now required to have a maintenance contract

The complete regulations are available for review at the Hays County Environmental Health Division, 1251 Civic Center Drive, during regular business hours and on the Hays County Web site at www.co.hays.tx.us. The offices of the Hays County Judge and all Precinct Commissioners will also have copies available for review. Questions should be directed to the Environmental Health Division at (512) 393-2150.