Developer asks county permission to install speed bumps, lower limits on gated roads listed as public

During the public comment period at the July 16 meeting of the Erath County Commissioners Court, developer Meta Collier asked the court for permission to lower posted speed limits to 10 mph and to install speed bumps on roads within Diamond Sea Ranch Estates, a gated subdivision off U.S. 281 north.

Collier said the subdivision has substantial new construction traffic, that the streets were chip sealed and damaged by heavy vehicles, and that her attorney advised that the plats record the streets as public roads; because the roads are shown on plats as public the developer needs the county''s permission to change speed limits or add traffic calming devices. Collier said she and her husband will pay the cost of the speed bumps if the county approves the change. She also said an HOA is not in place and that residents had petitioned previously about road conditions.

County staff responded that land department staff will examine the plats and legal status of the roads and that the county will need to determine whether the roads are county‑maintained public roads or privately maintained. Commissioners and staff noted that if the streets are county roads and residents want speed reductions or traffic calming, the county typically requires a formal petition signed by affected property owners and a review; staff said they would confer with legal counsel as needed.

Ending: staff said they will research the plat record, consult with the land department and legal staff, and advise Collier and the court on any required petition process or next steps.