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Neighbors urge Hays County to reject variances for Hays Commons over Edwards Aquifer recharge concerns
Summary
Speakers opposing the proposed Hays Commons development told the court they were not given backup material and warned variances that reduce lot sizes and increase impervious cover would threaten recharge to the Edwards Aquifer, noting litigation over groundwater permits and local karst features.
Before the court moved into a closed executive session on land‑use matters, residents and conservation advocates urged commissioners not to grant variances related to a proposed Hays Commons development.
Bobby Levinsky of Sabre Springs Alliance and Carol Pennington, vice president of Hays Residents for Land and Water Protection, asked commissioners to delay any action until the public had access to backup materials and more time to review the proposal. They said most of the site lies over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, described karst features and sinkholes on the property, and argued that reduced lot‑size variances would permit an unsustainably dense development over recharge areas.
Levinsky cited ongoing litigation involving groundwater permits and alleged that the developer, Milestone, had sought water and wastewater commitments from nearby cities and utilities. Pennington said some parts of the proposed project violate the county’s intent to restrict impervious cover and preserve recharge, and she urged the court to deny variances in recharge zones.
The court then cleared the room and convened executive session on precinct land‑use items. No final action on the variances was taken in open session during the meeting; commissioners said they would deliberate in executive session and return as appropriate.
