Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission votes 7-0 to forward Big Creek Estates preliminary plat (PL2542) to county commission
Summary
The Ellis County Joint Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward the Big Creek Estates 3rd Addition preliminary plat (PL2542) to the Ellis County Commission for further review of requested variances and outstanding water/sewer questions; the county will consider the item Feb. 10, 2026.
The Ellis County Joint Planning Commission voted 7-0 on Jan. 28 to send the preliminary plat for Big Creek Estates 3rd Addition (PL2542) to the Ellis County Commission for additional review of requested variances and outstanding infrastructure questions.
Chairman David McDaniel opened the discussion at 7:03 p.m., and the developer addressed each staff and board concern, outlining changes to the plat and the variances being requested. Commissioners asked detailed questions about water rights, drainage and the stormwater plan, sewer arrangements, and the development’s overall layout. Environmental Services Director Justin Craig asked specifically about an agreement with Big Creek Sewer District, whether streets would be public or private, and the developer’s surfacing plans. The developer stated negotiations with the sewer district were ongoing and that streets would be private but built to county standards.
After the board reviewed staff items individually and confirmed the explanations satisfied staff and commissioners, Commissioner Mason Ruder moved to forward the plat to the Ellis County Commission so the county could review the outstanding questions and the reasoning for the variances — including double-frontage/restricted access per the plat, water-supply concerns, and the lack of feasible centralized water — citing applicable Environmental Code provisions and KDHE standards. Commissioner Jerry Mermis seconded the motion; it passed 7-0.
Justin Craig told the commission the preliminary-plat adjustments and related materials will be presented to the Ellis County Commission on February 10, 2026. The commission’s action on Jan. 28 does not approve the plat; it forwards the item and the documented variances for county-level decision and any further conditions.
Next steps: the Ellis County Commission will review PL2542 and the record of variances at its Feb. 10 meeting, and staff will report any required follow-up or conditions back to the planning commission as needed.
