Commissioners approve variance allowing MidCountry Estates roads to follow pre‑Nov. 2023 standards

Randall County Commissioners Court on Jan. 7 approved a variance requested by GDI Engineering to allow interior roads in the MidCountry Estates subdivision to be constructed under the county standards that existed before Nov. 21, 2023.

The variance affects phase 3 and the remainder of the development, originally approved in 2019. Commissioners voted 5-0 to accept the developer's request, with the court citing neighborhood continuity and the fact that earlier phases were built to the older standard.

GDI Engineering representative Beddwell told the court the subdivision was approved in 2019 under an older set of road standards and that the developer is seeking the variance so phase 3 will match the earlier phases. "We are asking for a variance in regards to this new rule that we can keep the same rules for the roads inside the development," Beddwell said. He described the original construction as a 24-foot road with a caliche base and shoulders on each side; the county's new requirement calls for a 22-foot asphalt surface with an 18-inch concrete apron on each side.

Commissioners heard that phase 1 is complete, phase 2 construction plans have been approved and are expected to begin within about a month, and phase 3 runs roughly a mile toward the rear of the development and will be less heavily traveled. Commissioner Cooper said maintaining a uniform appearance across the neighborhood was a central concern.

The court adopted a motion to accept the requested variance for MidCountry Estates and voted unanimously. No conditions or amendments were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The court adjourned other business and noted the next Commissioners Court will be Jan. 14.