Commissioners deny request to issue addresses, permits for lots off New Road sold by Pine Woods Ranch Partners

Walker County Commissioners Court on Feb. 10 denied a request from Pine Woods Ranch Partners to issue addresses and permitting for multiple lots off New Road, after an executive session that the court held under Texas Government Code §551.071 for legal consultation.

Representatives for the landowner, including attorney Tyler Epstein and a representative named Sammy Wilmore, argued the lots were created under state exemption provisions and cited recent changes in state law. County planning and development staff told the court they have no recorded permits for the road, no on-site sewage permits for the lots, and that the county’s subdivision regulations still apply even when state exemptions relieve some platting requirements.

The court first discussed the matter in open session, then recessed into executive session at 10:12 a.m. and returned at 10:39 a.m. After that closed session, a motion to deny the request to issue addresses and permitting for the lots owned or sold by Pine Woods Ranch Partners carried on a voice vote.

Planning staff had previously flagged multiple compliance issues: the road in question lacks permitting and recordation, the subdivision frontage requirements were not met, and required studies for wastewater and floodplain compliance had not been completed. The county advised that while certain state exemptions may change platting obligations, they do not exempt parcels from other subdivision and permitting requirements the county enforces.

The court’s vote leaves the current permitting and addressing processes unchanged: staff will not issue addresses or building permits for the lots off New Road until required subdivision approvals, on-site sewage approvals, and any required floodplain/wastewater studies are completed and filed with the county.

No dollar amounts or compensatory measures were recorded in the minutes; the motion to deny was made and carried by voice vote.