At its Oct. 15 meeting the Ellis County Commissioners Court ratified a series of Department of Development staff actions on plats and a performance bond across multiple precincts. Most items were approved unanimously and were presented as routine or technical actions subject to staff conditions.

Key approvals included a revised preliminary plat for Alta Vista Estates (approximately 40.222 acres, increase to 31 lots from an earlier 22), a two-lot plat for Billups Addition (28.205 acres), a preliminary plat for Ellis Ranch Phase 1A (approximately 79.633 acres for 197 residential lots and 10 open-space lots), Eduardo Estates (two lots), Skyline Estates Phase 2 (one lot; conditions reduced), Garrett Munoz Estates (two lots), Holland Addition (two lots) and a replat of Platner Farm (resulting in two lots). Staff recommended approval for these items with technical conditions listed in the staff reports; commissioners approved the motions as recommended.

The court also accepted a performance bond for Whispering Creek Preserve — an approximately 131.862-acre subdivision — for a bond amount just under $2,980,000 to guarantee construction of public improvements. Alberto, Department of Development staff, told the court the civil plans had been approved and staff recommended acceptance of the bond as presented.

All of the listed plat and bond items that required votes passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Several speakers who had signed up in favor did not speak when asked, and the court noted that many of these DOD items are ministerial and suggested they could be moved to the consent agenda in the future if commissioners wish, with the caveat any commissioner can pull an item for separate consideration.

Votes at a glance: the court approved items listed below by motion (all unanimous unless noted). For items with staff-recommended technical conditions, the approvals are recorded as “approved subject to conditions.”