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Residents press council over Saddle Creek Ranch maintenance and road concerns; final plat pulled for review
Summary
Multiple residents and letters raised safety and maintenance concerns in Saddle Creek Ranch; staff reminded council a final plat is on a statutory ‘shot clock,’ and the council agreed to hear a staff presentation while scheduling follow-up with the HOA.
CIBOLO, Texas — Residents and HOA members sent written complaints and spoke during the April 22 Cibolo City Council meeting about conditions in Saddle Creek Ranch, including failing pavement, unmaintained vacant lots, drainage problems and limited emergency access.
Several written submissions, read into the record, urged the city to require the developer to maintain empty lots, complete promised amenities and address traffic-safety issues tied to the community’s limited exits onto FM 1103. John Morfitt, Brett and Theresa Downey and others described blocked access during a downed power line event and asked the council to require legally enforceable developer commitments before allowing more expansion.
Council pulled the final plat (Item 7I) for Saddle Creek Ranch Unit 9B from the consent agenda for further discussion. City staff advised council that state law imposes a statutory deadline (the ‘shot clock’) for action on plats; if the city fails to act by that deadline the plat can become approved by operation of law. Staff therefore presented and asked council to state any conditions now or allow staff to continue processing. Councilmembers pressed staff for stronger warranty terms and better enforcement — staff said the city is reviewing its warranty/bond rules and is considering expanding the observation period to 36 months (currently an 18-month warranty with an optional second 18 months in many cases) to better monitor infrastructure performance. Staff also said Transportation/engineering inspections had held punch lists on previously recorded units and would not schedule final acceptance until repairs are made.
Council asked staff to meet with Saddle Creek Ranch HOA members; the meeting was scheduled for April 29. The council did not vote to deny the plat on April 22 and acknowledged that failing to act before the statutory deadline could result in automatic approval; council members asked staff to present any proposed conditions promptly.
