Sam Peveto Tuesday got the first go-ahead for his Cypress Shadows Estate II subdivision when the Orange Planning and Zoning Commission approved the preliminary plat.
The proposed 35.8-acre subdivision is off FM 1130. It is outside of the city limits, but within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, which means the city is allowed to approve the plans.
During the public hearing, some people living in the adjacent Chasse Ridge subdivision questioned the drainage. In addition, Harry Langston, who lives Williamson Estates, on the other side of the proposed subdivision, is concerned about the drainage. He said he lost his home to Tropical Storm Harvey and does not want to lose it again.
Last year the Planning and Zoning Commission and the city council rejected Peveto’s plat because of concerns about drainage.
According to city records, the new subdivision designs have a detention pond that will hold water until it can drain into a canal. The Orange County Drainage District has also worked with the plans along with the city staff.
Public Works Director Jim Wolf said the new subdivision will not use the so-called ‘north’ Chasse Ridge ditch. The city will be cleaning the Chasse Ridge ditch. However, that ditch cannot be dug deeper because a state highway culvert under FM 1130 is not big enough to handle water from a deeper ditch.
Former Orange County Commissioner David Dubose, who lives on Chasse Stone, questioned who would maintain the detention pond “after he (Peveto) gets his money and is gone.” Peveto said a homeowners association will be formed and will be responsible for maintaining the detention pond.
The city is not providing water to the subdivision, so the city is not requiring fire hydrants. Fire protection is by the Orange County Emergency Services District 3, which has a reciprical agreement with the Orange Fire Department.
The city is also waiving the requirement for street lights. Peveto said each lot will have a security light.
The streets will not be concrete with curbs and gutters, but will have open ditches for drainage. The city is also waiving the requirement for sidewalks because the walks are not practical with ditches.
Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Weldon Smith asked a number of questions, including one about all the variances the city is allowing. Commissioner Joe Love said the financial feasibility of the subdivision has to be considered. Too many requirements will make the lots too expensive to sell.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has one vacancy. All six current members were at the meeting and unanimously agreed to the preliminary plat.
A quorum of the city council was also present. The council at a future meeting will hold another public hearing and vote on the preliminary plat.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
A few things concern me:
-“will not use the so called “north Chasse Ridge Ditch”—So what ditch is going to be used?
-“culvert not big enough to handle a deeper ditch”–Pretty much sounds to me like problems are known already but charge ahead and force more water into that same funnel.
-“homeowners association will be formed to manage the detention pond”– My opinion is the detention pond is a poor attempt to address the concern and even worse idea to select some group of homeowners to become RESPONSIBLE for keeping homes from flooding by managing the pond level at 2 in the morning.
-“too many requirements will make the lots too expensive to sell”–I interpret this as profit is a priority
I say all this because I dont think I read anywhere in the article where the drainage district or the city said anything about current outfalls and ditches having the ability to handle increased water flow where-ever it happens to go. I also have serious doubts that public hearings and opinion will matter in the “vote”. .