Rowlett resident alleges developer encroachment on private easement near Vineyards development

Dave Hall, a Rowlett resident, told the Planning and Zoning Commission during citizen input on May 13 that a recent Vineyards subdivision project had intruded on his access easement and private property and that the approved plat contained errors and omissions.

"You voted to allow the Vineyards developer to build a too small house on a lot that was too small for the house," Hall told commissioners. He said staff presented the project as too small to require city council review and that commissioners approved an exception without listening to neighbors.

Hall said a recent survey by Encore shows a developer's retaining wall intruding on his access easement and a fence on his property line with "half the width of it" on his private property. He said the encroachments restrict his property's operation and that the city accepted the plat with material errors and omissions. "You approved this project. You inspected this project. You have ignored the subsequent problems as they have become apparent," Hall said.

Hall asked commissioners what they would do to address the situation and said he was told he could not distribute copies of the survey at the meeting because he did not have enough copies for everyone. He closed by saying he felt the commission had failed him and other residents on the issue.

The commission did not take action during citizen input; staff and the commission did not make immediate commitments on remedies during the public comment period. The matter, as presented by Hall, concerns private property boundaries, easements and the platting and inspection record for the Vineyards project.