The Angleton City Council approved a first amendment to the amended and restated development and public‑improvement district (PID) agreement for the Austin Colony subdivision, allowing the developer to address a county requirement for a left‑turn lane at the new Anchor Road entrance. The council’s approval was prompted by the developer’s request for an amendment that clarifies assignments and timing for construction and inspection of the turn lane so the county will issue a driveway permit and subdivision construction can begin.

Developer Wayne S. Sandy Ray told the council he is ready to start construction and that Brazoria County had asked for a left‑hand turn lane at Anchor Road. He said the developer would fund construction of the turn lane — estimated in the developer’s budget and to be built in Section 2A — and that the county is responsible for design approval and inspection. The developer asked the city to amend the development agreement so the county permit would be issued without requiring the county to rely on a not‑yet‑finalized PID reimbursement structure.

City staff and council discussed jurisdictional limits: the roadway is a county road and the county must approve the design and issue the permit, but the developer sought the city’s written commitment to inspect or accept the improvement as part of the development agreement to satisfy county requirements. Legal counsel advised that the city’s amendment can clarify rights to inspect and accept, while preserving county authority over the road and the county’s responsibility to approve designs under county standards. The developer said the turn lane would be paid entirely by the developer and inspected under Brazoria County standards; the city would retain the right to review design and construction but would not necessarily assume inspection obligations.

Motion and vote: Councilman Sarton moved and Councilman Smith seconded approval of the changes to the development agreement. The motion carried. Council members expressed support for the left‑turn lane as a traffic improvement for Angleton but said they were concerned about assuming additional maintenance or liability; the city attorney advised governmental immunity protects the city from liability for inspecting or reviewing construction under the agreement.

Why it matters: The amendment clears the way for the county driveway permit that the developer said is a precondition to starting site construction. It also clarifies that the developer will pay for the left‑turn lane and that Brazoria County will approve the design and perform inspection under county standards, while the city reserves rights to review and coordinate.

Next steps: Developer will present executed amendment to county permitting staff and proceed with the driveway permit process; staff and legal will coordinate with county engineers to align approvals and reporting. Council approved the amendment and staff will track coordination among developer, county and city.

Speakers in this account include the developer, city staff, the city attorney and council members who spoke at the public meeting.