County buys into developer detention, advances regional detention design with BKDD

Commissioners approved an amendment to a development agreement that allows Waller County to buy roughly an 8% share of detention capacity in the Lakes of Cane Island development instead of building separate county detention ponds. Robert, the county’s director of policy administration, told the court the total detention-related package was roughly $3.4 million while Waller County’s Morton Road outfall work was about $1.5 million.

"These costs are substantially lower than if we had to go out and buy detention ponds, design the detention ponds and construct the detention ponds on our own," Robert said, and commissioners described the arrangement as a long-term savings that also shifts maintenance responsibility to the developer. The court voted to approve the amendment.

The court also approved contracting BKDD (Berkshire Katy Drainage District) to begin design and construction work on a regional detention facility on county-owned acreage. Robert said the county will use remaining state grant money — capped at approximately $5.1 million — to fund design and early work and that a kickoff meeting with BKDD is scheduled. Commissioners noted the northern 600 acres may be subject to a conservation easement and will require discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about allowable work.

Court members emphasized county control over final design choices: BKDD is the contracted designer/manager, but the land remains county property and the county will retain final authority over design milestones. The court approved the BKDD engagement and related actions to begin project work.