Council approves final plat for 40.446-acre 'The Wells' Phase 1; developer plans early construction

The Mineral Wells City Council unanimously approved the final plat for The Wells Phase 1, a 40.446-acre subdivision in Mineral Wells, during its Feb. 18 meeting. The vote to approve the final plat carried 6-0.

The vote follows a presentation by Remington Wheat of Bannister Engineering, who represented the developer and described the filing as the final-planning step for phase 1. "We selected a contractor, and we've got a pre construction meeting next week, and we're we're looking to break ground in March," Wheat said.

Council members raised questions about lot sizes, open space and timing. A councilmember said the lots appeared "reduced drastically" from a prior plat and asked whether common areas and amenities had been removed. Wheat and staff replied that phase 1 includes open-space areas to be graded for drainage that will be seeded or sodded and that the developer envisions passive recreation such as soccer fields. Wheat identified a central proposed trail through Lot 1X, Block F, and noted a likely soccer field on Lot 45X, Block B. He said the amenity center (pool/building) is expected in a later phase, likely Phase 2.

On financing and incentives, a councilmember noted the development is in the city's tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ). A city official said revenues captured by the TIRZ are returned on the back end and estimated that the developer retains roughly 80 percent of increment value (as described in the meeting). The council also discussed park dedication fees: staff said the project was pre‑approved before the city's recent park-fee ordinance and therefore "will not be subject to the fees," but agreed to confirm that interpretation with the city attorney.

The final-plat motion was made and seconded on the record; the presiding officer announced, "Motion carries 6 0." The approval moves Phase 1 into the build-permit and construction-preparation stage.