Residents at Mabton hearing say irrigation access, Spanish notices lacking for new subdivision

At the public hearing on the Parker Estates subdivision, several long‑time residents said mailed notices were hard to understand and not provided in Spanish, and they urged more timely and bilingual outreach before decisions are finalized.

Ruben (S9), identified himself and his address, told the commission there was "a lot of misinformation going on" and urged an open forum so the community could get information directly from developers and contractors. He said he learned of the project only days earlier and that notices were not accessible to many Spanish‑speaking residents. "It should be in both in both languages, English and Spanish," he said.

Residents also complained they pay irrigation assessments but receive little irrigation water; staff and others said irrigation service is provided by the irrigation district, not the city. Contract planner Byron Gums told the commission the city’s required notice process (mail to adjoining properties within 300 feet, on‑site posting and local newspaper notices) had been followed, but he acknowledged outreach methods are limited by law and local practice.

Commissioners and staff urged residents to participate in upcoming council agendas and cautioned that new council members must avoid ex parte contacts with applicants or neighbors during the formal decision period. The commission’s recommendation to forward the variance means the city council will have the next opportunity to consider outreach requests or hold additional forums.