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Neighbors raise environmental and permitting concerns about nearby ‘man camp’; commissioners require plat before occupancy
Summary
Residents told the Callahan County Commissioners Court a construction site intended as a temporary workforce camp plans an on‑site generator and may require a subdivision plat; county staff said occupancy is prohibited until a plat is submitted and accepted.
Neighbors and county staff told Callahan County commissioners on Feb. 9 that a nearby workforce camp (referred to as a "man camp" in public comment) is under rapid construction and may be preparing to install a generator, prompting resident concerns about environmental impacts and compliance with subdivision rules.
"They are planning and building for a generator to supply electricity to their site, which raises a lot of concerns," said Joe Clark, who identified himself as a nearby resident. Clark said neighbors are researching potential environmental issues and that the site supervisor confirmed generator plans.
Staff and commissioners discussed the county's subdivision rules and whether the site should be treated like residential development even if occupancy is temporary. The presiding officer told the court that the company has been advised occupancy is not allowed until a plat has been presented and accepted by the commissioners. The court also noted that some construction activity (material deliveries, erection of temporary structures) can occur on private property while a plat review is pending, but staff must receive and approve a plat before permitting occupancy.
County officials said the company will host an informational dinner for adjacent property owners that evening; several county representatives, including the septic inspector Steve Odom, were invited to attend. Commissioners said they may review a subdivision plat when it is submitted; no formal enforcement action or permit approval occurred at the Feb. 9 meeting.
The court asked staff to monitor compliance and indicated the item could return to a future agenda after county staff review and a formal plat submission.
