Commission amends Hollow Subdivision agreement, requires 5-foot sidewalks and delays certain COs until roadway work is finished

The Ennis City Commission on June 17 approved a first amendment to the amended and restated development agreement for the Hollow Subdivision, addressing the developer name, public-infrastructure obligations and runway of certificate-of-occupancy (CO) issuance.

Staff said the amendment corrects the developer’s name to Lackland Hollow Development LLC; adds required off-site sidewalk grading and drainage improvements and formalizes a public-improvement waiver in exchange for those improvements. The amendment also allows a limited number of homes to be built before some off-site improvements are finished but the commission debated the timing and conditions.

Commissioner Jones raised concerns about an exhibit that referenced 4-foot sidewalks, noting city design standards and ADA/TAS requirements typically call for 5-foot sidewalks in many contexts. Staff confirmed the approved design standards require ADA-compliant sidewalks and agreed to change the preamble language from "4 foot" to "5 foot." The mayor and several commissioners also asked that section 1.05 be amended so that issuance of additional COs would not occur until Sleepy Hollow roadway improvements are complete; the commission approved striking certain language in section 1.05 and approved the agreement with those stated amendments by voice vote.

The amendment includes a phase allowance for construction of five single-family homes prior to completion of some off-site improvements but the commission moved to ensure critical roadway access is prioritized so neighbors regain egress to the neighborhood sooner.

City staff said final engineering and design will determine exact sidewalk dimensions and that the exhibit will be updated during the design process.