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Resident urges council to use TxDOT funds to reconnect equestrian trail
Summary
A longtime Fair Oaks Ranch resident asked council to use TxDOT right-of-way compensation and coordinate with landowners and a developer to restore a lost trail link severed by an FM 3351 widening project, noting horses can no longer traverse north–south along the former route.
David Fairhurst, speaking for the Fair Oaks Ranch Homeowners Association, told the council at its Dec. 5 meeting that TxDOT’s widening of FM 3351 removed a continuous trail connection that historically allowed equestrian travel through the community. “When the bridge goes into Cibolo, a horse will be able to go under the bridge and over to the Arbors,” Fairhurst said, “but that same horse won’t be able to come back.”
Fairhurst, who said he has served on the HOA restrictions committee for about 25 years, asked the city to consider using roughly $250,000 that was earmarked as compensation for taken right-of-way to help recreate the trail connection. He described conversations with neighboring landowners and said the planned bridge and park connections present a “unique opportunity to help reconnect” the trail for riders, joggers and hikers.
Mayor Maxton and city staff thanked Fairhurst for the information; staff later told the council that any formal trail access or easement agreement would be negotiated between the HOA, landowners and developers and reviewed during the city’s plat and planning process. The council did not take formal action at the meeting, but staff noted the comprehensive plan includes a trails map and that the council could consider a trail-connection condition during future plat review.
No funding decision or formal project authorization was made at the meeting.
