Rowlett commission approves Oxen Free final plat after easement clarifications

The Rowlett Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 26 approved the consent agenda, including minutes from the previous meeting and the final plat for the Oxen Free development, with conditions to clarify easement callouts and update the plat signature stamp from "preliminary" to "final."

Planner Liliana Morejon presented the plat, describing the approximately 31.2435‑acre tract at the corner of Castle Drive and Merritt Road and its legal description in the Richland Copeland survey. Commissioners flagged inconsistent or unclear easement markings on several lots and asked staff to correct the drawings and the stamp on the signature page before recordation. Morejon confirmed staff would make the clarifications.

Commissioner Frisbie raised concerns about several narrow lots in Block C (lots 17–20 and neighboring lots), noting the 25‑foot lot widths for some "casita" lots and questioning whether the layouts would meet fire‑safety separation requirements. Frisbie said the small lots make it "very hard to...visualize what kind of a home is going to be constructed," adding that a 15‑foot‑wide building would be "almost like a trailer home in terms of width." Planning staff responded that building permits and the site development plan review would ensure compliance with the International Building Code and International Fire Code and that measures such as firewalls would be required if separation distances made them necessary.

Commissioner Swift moved to approve the final plat with the requested change of the stamp to "final" and clarification of the Encore easements; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously, 6–0. The approval was conditional on addressing the easement notation as discussed.