BRENHAM PLANNING AND ZONING GIVES OK FOR NEW SUBDIVISION REPLAT REQUEST

  

The Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission approved a replat request for land being considered for a new subdivision at its meeting Tuesday, despite worries presented by citizens.

After a public hearing in which one citizen and the property owner spoke, the Commission voted unanimously to replat 11.3 acres of vacant land east of Old Masonic Road and north of Ava Drive for single-family residential use.  The owner, Oaks Texas City, LLC, is looking to use the land to build the Overlook Estates Subdivision, consisting of 11 homes.

Development Services Director Stephanie Doland said the city received six letters in opposition to the request, along with calls from citizens.  She said the complaints included concerns about developing housing close to a creek, as well as developing the property in general.

 

Doland said whenever city staff consider a subdivision request, they not only look at the subject development’s adherence to minimum lot standards and setbacks, but also if the development will cause any adverse impact from a flooding perspective.  She said all this has been reviewed by the city’s engineering team, and approval was still recommended.

Austin Taylor, a resident of Ava Drive, voiced his concerns about drainage and the potential impact to the ecosystem and local wildlife, asking if an 11-home subdivision is worth that impact.  Beau Yarbrough, Chief Financial Officer for Oaks Texas City, said it’s not in the company’s plans to mess around with the wildlife.

 

Doland noted that the city will serve water and sewer for the subdivision, while Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will provide electricity.  The proposed builder for the homes will be DSW Homes out of Galveston.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the Commission:

• Approved a zoning change for the Brenham Market Square development on South Market Street from mixed residential use to commercial, research, and technology use.
• Approved a specific use permit request from the Washington County Healthy Living Association to allow additional parking as an accessory use for the Margaret E Blizzard Senior Activity Center.
• Approved a replat of Lot 5B of the Rippetoe Addition to create two lots of the Home Town Division, consisting of 0.592 acres of land at 307 Baber Street and 402 West Jefferson Street.
• Approved a replat of Lot 65 of the College Heights Addition and a portion of abandoned right-of-way formerly known as Magnolia Street to create a lot containing 0.202 acres of land at 1598 Clay Street.