Commission approves replat to combine 19 undeveloped parcels into single lot off Seabird Drive

The Planning Commission unanimously approved a replat on Aug. 19 to combine 19 undeveloped parcels in the Seabird Drive area into one single parcel that will total approximately 3.948 acres.

Staff said the subject parcels, originally platted as part of Seabird Estates, were not developed and lack active water and sanitary-sewer connections. Planning staff described the action as a minor plat under local government code and noted that future development would be subject to standard permitting, utility and wetland-review requirements. Condition language added to the plat requires a minimum 35-foot-wide access easement to provide individual access for lots to the north and incorporates outside reviewer comments (for example, CenterPoint Energy’s requirement to apply to release existing easements) as conditions prior to filing.

Several nearby homeowners spoke during the public hearing. Heather Hughes and other residents said the parcels currently contain vegetation and wildlife, flood during tidal surge or heavy rain, and border the Dos Faccas Mortas bird sanctuary; they urged caution about how consolidation might enable larger development. An applicant representative responded that the owner purchased the 19 parcels in separate parcels and intends to consolidate them to allow construction of a single-family home; he said no large development is planned and that CenterPoint easement-release applications were being filed.

After closing public comment, the commission approved the replat with conditions that address access, easement releases and standard platting requirements. Staff emphasized that any future development would require separate permitting reviews including wetland delineation and infrastructure improvements.