Residents press planners on water, sinkhole and road safety at Kitten Trail hearing

Multiple residents used the public comment period to press the commission and staff for more information about ground water, sinkholes, septic feasibility and road safety near the proposed Kitten Trail rezoning.

Janelle Condogato, who said she lives on Mill Creek Lane and is concerned about community wells, asked what studies will evaluate aquifer longevity and whether the development would be required to connect to central water. Planning staff answered that applicants must submit listed‑species surveys, stormwater analyses and utility demand studies and that connections to public utilities are triggered by comprehensive plan and subdivision rules.

Kenneth Howard, who lives across the street, described an approximately 0.75‑acre sinkhole on or adjacent to the property and questioned how septic/percolation issues would be handled; staff replied that the county's geologic hazards and stormwater code require geotechnical reports and prohibit discharge of stormwater into sinkholes with direct aquifer connections.

Several speakers, including Sarah Gonzales, urged the commission to consider traffic capacity and safety on two‑lane roads such as Denton Road and Kitten Trail. "How many more people have to die there?" Gonzales asked, pressing the commission on whether infrastructure will keep pace with projected growth. Planning staff said traffic impact studies are required and that impact fees and later tax revenue typically fund physical improvements after development occurs.

The public comments prompted staff and commissioners to reiterate the list of technical analyses required before any building permits could be issued.