The Hutto Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 7 recommended disapproval of the Lydell Walker Phase 5 final plat, a proposed 172-lot residential final plat covering roughly 36.574 acres, citing unresolved technical comments and statutory timing constraints under the state
pproval "shot clock."

Staff summarized the proposal as part of the larger Lydell Walker subdivision (approved at preliminary plat stage) and said the tract is within mandated watersheds (Mustang Creek and Brushy Creek). Staff noted the property was annexed and zoned SF-1 (village zoning) in September 2021 and that water and wastewater service plans anticipate use of existing conveyance and the Mustang Creek lift station, with wastewater ultimately conveyed to the regional wastewater treatment plant. Staff said the final plat remained subject to the shot-clock statute and that because the applicant had not waived the shot clock, state law limited staff and the commission to approve, deny or approve with conditions within the statutory time frame; staff recommended denial because several comments remained unresolved.

Commissioners raised technical concerns that included a pending TIA waiver (the applicant had previously waived a TIA for related phases), whether the Mustang Creek lift station had adequate capacity to serve additional lots, drainage mapping and the packetinding that the property shape and acreage differed from the previously approved report. A commissioner pointed to a packet graphic noting "new POIs have been added" and flagged the note that the property shape appears to include additional acres relative to the prior approved materials. Commissioners said boundary inaccuracies and incomplete engineering comments were material and that the shot-clock process requires either an applicant waiver or staff action; with outstanding issues, staff recommended denial under state law.

A motion to disapprove the final plat as presented by staff was made and seconded; the commission voted 4-0 to recommend disapproval. The staff packet and discussion show remaining engineering and drainage comments must be cleared on resubmittal, and that utilities (including lift-station capacity) and the corrected boundary exhibit will be part of that review.

Because the item is subject to state shot-clock provisions (House Bill 3167 and subsequent related statutes), staff indicated the plat cannot be continued indefinitely without either an applicant waiver of the shot clock or a final action under the statutory schedule; the commission's recommendation reflected the staff position that unresolved technical comments and the apparent acreage/boundary discrepancy preclude approval at this time.