County hears Friese & Nichols draft of development regulations; public draft released July 20

Hays County officials received an update on a comprehensive rewrite of the county's development regulations Wednesday and were told a preliminary draft would be published on July 20 for public review. Michael Berlet, interim director for development services, introduced the consultants; David Jones, the project manager for Friese & Nichols, described the phases leading to adoption and an anticipated public review through September.

"Over the next month on July 20 we're anticipating the release of the preliminary draft," Jones said, adding that the county will host open houses in each precinct at the end of July. The team walked the court through operational changes designed to make review timelines predictable, such as a submittal calendar that specifies administrative and technical review dates.

Jones said the draft strengthens how water availability is documented: it ties provider capacity to Texas Water Development Board allocations and requires coordination with groundwater conservation districts so the county can assess both present and future water supply and infrastructure. "These regulations'contain additional provisions that classify different water service providers, based on their allocated capacity through the Texas Water Development Board," Jones said.

The draft would also create an administrative path for small "minor plats" (limit described in discussion as no more than four lots in a single minor plat), tighten criteria and documentation for variances, and clarify recording triggers so plats are recorded only after infrastructure is completed and accepted. The consultants recommended stronger language on condominium plats to ensure private shared elements (access drives, ponds, drainage) have clear maintenance and ownership mechanisms and do not become county responsibilities.

Commissioners repeatedly pressed for clear maps and outreach. Judge Becerra and others asked for a countywide map that shows preferred development areas aligned with recharge zones to give investors clear guidance on where higher-intensity development is appropriate and where conservation development is preferred. Jones said the final draft will include definitions and clickable terms to make the code more accessible to non-experts.

The court approved a no-cost extension of the consultant contract through Dec. 31, 2026, to allow time for additional public engagement if needed. Jones told the court the team expects to bring the refined draft back to the court for consideration before the end of September, with formal adoption not likely until early fall.