Ellis County approves utility and radius variances for Heirloom subdivision, conditionally allows early grading and accepts performance bond

The Ellis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved two variance requests for the proposed Heirloom subdivision in the Midlothian extraterritorial jurisdiction and conditionally approved a third variance allowing early grading, then accepted a performance bond to cover construction costs.

The court voted to allow placement of utilities within the right of way and to reduce the curb return radius at certain intersections from the county’s 28-foot standard to 20 feet, a change county staff said is effectively negligible because the developer is widening the roadway section to 31 feet. The court also approved, with conditions, an early grading permit before final civil-plan approval.

Alberto Maris, Ellis County Department of Development staff, told the court the developer is requesting three variances: utilities in the right of way, a reduced pavement edge radius at intersections, and early grading before final civil plans are approved. "Staff does recommend approval of each of those…