NEWS

Commissioners continue to debate changes needed in subdivision rules and regulations

By Missy Zinsmeyer
Anvil Herald Reporter

On Monday, June 28, Medina County Commissioners met before a packed crowd at the Medina County Courthouse.

Judge Vivian Torres was thanked for her gift of reframing an old picture of the Medina County Courthouse which was recently discovered. It will hang in the jury/conference room on the second floor of the courthouse.

Commissioners are in the process of reviewing the current county subdivision rules and regulations and possible changes to them. This is an ongoing process which has already been discussed at workshops and meetings and will continue to be explored.

This topic was debated at length as many of the proposed changes have been needed and desired for years. Removal of the ability to provide a surety in lieu of completed work is one of the changes being considered, along with language defining what a “garden home” is, language outlining county maintenance on subdivision roads, as well as changing the current 15 percent lot slope requirement.

Current conditions of roads throughout the county is one of the things that have prompted the review of the current rules and regulations. Commissioners hope to stiffen regulations and enforcement of them in an effort to prevent the creation of high maintenance roads in subdivisions including cul-de-sacs. The goal is to have better quality roads constructed from the start, therefore, eliminating the need for excessive repair.

The subdivision rules debate was a non-action item that was discussed to gauge support on the changes as well as find other areas the commissioners need to focus on. Commissioners will continue to find other areas in the rule book to strengthen including water usage and access to emergency authorities in upcoming county court meetings and planning workshops.

Prior to the discussion on the proposed changes to the subdivision rules, commissioners voted on a subdivision that had prompted a closer look at the rules several years ago when it was expanding into Medina County.

Representatives for Red Bird Ranch, located in Precinct 2 off FM 1957 (Potranco Road) on the border of Bexar and Medina Counties, went before commissioners to gain preliminary approval for the final four units of their subdivision. Commissioners questioned the representatives on several points, including street signs for the county roads, drainage for the properties, and tree protection, all of which had been covered through the prior subdivision approval from the City of San Antonio. The city has an extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) which encompasses the area within Medina County where Red Bird Ranch is located, therefore the developers had to gain approval from the city as well as Medina County and had to follow each of their sets of rules and regulations.

Commissioners granted preliminary approval for the final units of the subdivision bringing the total amount of houses in the neighborhood to 450.

In other court news...

• Commissioners approved the selection of TPS (Texas Political Subdivisions), a joint self-insurance fund, as the insurance carrier for the county’s property insurance. Cindy Ivy, along with a private consultant, Don Gray, have negotiated with both TAC (Texas Association of Counties), who has provided coverage for the county for many years, and TPS, as the policy is up for renewal on July 1. By choosing to change to coverage provided by TPS, the commissioners have saved the county a sizable amount of money on this insurance.

• Commissioners approved the agreement with Halff Associates engineering firm from San Antonio for consulting work on the D’Hanis Seco Creek Flood Protection Grant Project. They will basically conduct a survey on how best to approach dealing with preventing further flooding from the Seco Creek in D’Hanis and the county will provide in-kind work as necessary.

• Chris Schuchart took to the podium to discuss a situation in Encino Hills Subdivision. Three property owners have joined together to try to find a solution to their water problem or rather, the lack of water. In 1995, when the subdivision was created, the developer failed to provide water and since that time the land owners have drilled many wells with little success and have been unable to gain access to water through West Medina Water Supply Corporation. Mr. Schuchart explained that if the commissioners will accept their application to cancel part of an existing subdivision plat in which the three landowners homes are located, West Medina Water Supply Corporation will then be able to supply them with the water needed. Commissioners approved this application process.

Back to Anvil News