Richwood council seeks clearer burn-permit rules after denied land‑clearing burn; staff to draft ordinance

A resident who said he had purchased a lot in Oakwood Shores told council he was denied a land‑clearing burn and asked for clarity and an appeals process.

"I called into the city to to find out if I need to redo my burn permit... and it got denied almost, well, the next day," the resident said during public comment, describing contractor quotes and the cost of hauling brush offsite.

City staff reviewed Texas Commission on Environmental Quality guidance and said land‑clearing burns can fall within allowed exceptions if the city adopts an ordinance that clearly dictates procedures. The city manager (Speaker 3) told council she is "proposing an appeals process, a clear definition of what denials constitute," and she presented sample language to govern denials, revocations and appeals.

Council members and residents debated whether neighbor objections should be dispositive, the feasibility of contracting inspections, and whether the city should treat a homeowner clearing a single lot differently from commercial land clearing. One council member said the current practice—where a single designee may deny a permit without a clear record—creates inconsistency and urged a path where the city manager or council can review denials.

Staff said they would meet with the fire department, collect photographs and evidence for disputed permits, and return an ordinance and process to the August meeting. No ordinance was adopted tonight; council asked staff to provide clearer procedures and an appeals mechanism.