Mills County commissioners on Oct. 27 declined to approve the final plat for the proposed Hoop and Horn subdivision, saying the application lacks multiple technical corrections and legal assurances the court considered necessary before final approval.

Developer representatives and county reviewers spent more than an hour on the agenda item. Don Keane, who presented materials for the project, and a project representative identified as Marcus responded to detailed comments from county staff, the county attorney and commissioners. County reviewers pointed to missing or poorly formatted survey coordinates, lack of clearly identified temporary benchmarks, and map pages that reviewers said were too small or missing labeling needed for title-company use. "I've requested many times" that the map be legible and have separate sheets and clear page breaks, Keane said during the hearing.

Commissioners and staff also raised several substantive public-safety and utility concerns. The court discussed a high perimeter fence on the property and related Texas Parks and Wildlife requirements: reviewers said the fence and gates must remain closed to satisfy wildlife-management restrictions and any release-site requirements. Commissioners asked whether the county would receive a certificate or written confirmation from Parks and Wildlife; staff said the applicant must provide such clarifications. The court also pressed for a clear statement about whether interior roads will be dedicated to the public for access by emergency services and mail carriers, and whether culverts and driveway crossings are sized and certified by a licensed engineer.

Water-quality and utility questions were raised in the hearing. Reviewers noted test results and referenced a water-quality report that shows total coliform detections in some duplicate samples; county staff said E. coli samples in the materials were absent but requested clearer documentation. Commissioners also discussed utility easements and whether broadband/internet service obligations are satisfied for lots in the interior of the subdivision.

County attorney Bill Mullen recommended a certificate that would make clear the county is not guaranteeing adequate water and that the county will not assume maintenance responsibility for interior roads; the developer would be responsible for HOA governance and maintenance obligations. Commissioners said they expect deed restrictions or HOA documents to accompany the plat so buyers and the county would have enforceable maintenance and access rules.

After discussion, Commissioners voted not to approve the final plat and directed applicant representatives to return with corrected survey sheets, a clearer set of deed restrictions or HOA documents, signed certificates where required, completed drainage/crossing designs and documented responses from Texas Parks and Wildlife on fence and gate expectations.

The court recorded the motion not to approve the final plat by voice vote; commissioners said the applicant can return when the listed items are resolved.