Residents press commission over groundwater study as Plains View plat moves forward

Planner (speaker 8) presented a preliminary plat for Plains View Acres Section 2 (33300 Bragg Drive) and acknowledged two objection letters that yielded an 8.32% protest, chiefly raising concerns about groundwater availability. The planner said: “Whenever they first plotted their first subdivision, they did complete their groundwater availability certificate, which is basically what the law and our local ordinance designates.”

Several neighbors spoke in opposition. Mary Lou Hartman (speaker 9), who identified herself as a resident at 2012 Todd Drive, warned that adding pools and additional water users would deplete local groundwater: “If we put in a swimming pool on this property, that's gonna take my groundwater.” Rene Molinar (speaker 3), a nearby property owner, urged the commission to table the matter until the full water study could be reviewed, saying the water table is “very spotty” north of the development and residents do not want the same problems seen at a nearby subdivision.

The applicant’s representative, Ashley Devine of Maverick Engineering (speaker 11), said the replat is a formality to obtain an electric drop and reiterated that the original GAC had been completed and stamped by a registered geoscientist. Staff (speaker 6) confirmed the commission relies on the submitted GAC and that engineering comments on the preliminary plat had been addressed. After discussion the commission moved to a vote and the motion recorded as passed.

Documents: staff noted the full GAC is about 33 pages and that the certification portion had been provided to commissioners; residents asked that the full report be made available if the commission proceeds.