Walker County Court approves variance for groundwater certification in Arder Manor subdivision

The Walker County Commissioners Court held a regular session on February 24, 2025, where several key issues were discussed, including the approval of a plat and a request for a variance regarding groundwater certification.

The meeting began with the approval of plat number 2024-039, which pertains to Lots 8910 in Block 3, Section 6 of Wildwood Shores. The motion to approve was made and seconded, and the court unanimously voted in favor.

A significant topic of discussion was the request from Charter Business LLC for a variance to section 3.36 of the Walker County subdivision regulations. This request pertains to groundwater certification requirements for plat number 2024-032 in the Arder Manor Subdivision. The court noted that state law mandates either a report on groundwater availability or a finding of credible evidence to support the existence of groundwater.

Zach, an expert in groundwater issues, was present to provide insights. He acknowledged the challenges in assessing groundwater availability and indicated that the documentation provided by Charter Business LLC was as reliable as possible under the circumstances. The court discussed the importance of ensuring that any variance granted would not violate state law.

The court emphasized the need to establish credible evidence of groundwater before granting the variance. Historical precedents were mentioned, where variances had been granted based on documentation from licensed professionals. However, the court noted that there is no specific requirement in the code defining what constitutes credible evidence, leaving the decision to the court's discretion.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the complexities surrounding groundwater certification and the careful consideration required before granting variances. The court's decisions in these matters will have implications for future developments in Walker County.