Travis County Commissioners Court
Tuesday, March 8, 2011,
Item 1
Our first item is receive comments on request to authorize the filing of an instrument to vacate a portion of a drainage easement that traverses lot 18, block a of the granada oaks.
I move the public hearing be open.
all in favor?
that passes by unanimous vote.
>> good morning.
anna bolin, Travis County d.n.r.
the purpose of this proposed item is vacate a portion of a drainage easement at the back of this lot so that the owner will have a more suitable building site for his home and his septic in the future.
this lot is in an older subdivision and several years ago an f lomr was done to make sure the flood plain was shown accurately as the flood plain now is and in addition to that now this owner has come in with information requesting to vacate a portion of the drainage easement in the back of the lot, leave a portion, and also dedicated by separate instrument some additional drainage easements.
we reviewed the engineering.
we do not have a problem with the engineering and we have, however, had one constituent ask questions and put in an open record information request to get more information, but staff supports this item.
>> okay, now, would we normally require an open records request to release this information to an affected resident?
>> yes.
>> let's check with legal on that but I don't know that's the right thing to do even if it's legal.
>> okay.
>> I was under the impression that if -- on these matters set for public hearing, if backup were requested, it would simply be provided.
>> sure.
I believe what they were requiring wasn't so much our backup for the agenda request but the engineering materials that were prepared.
so I'll certainly check with legal.
>> and also check with Commissioners court.
>> absolutely.
>> may well be a policy decision.
but other than the inquiring resident, no objections called to our attention?
>> that's my understanding, yes, sir.
>> would anyone like to give public testimony?
if you would give us your name, we would be happy to get your comments.
>> good morning.
>> good morning.
>> my name is harold rossturker.
thank you for the opportunity to speak this morning.
I own lot 19 in granada oaks, I reside there with my family, and our address is 9515 san lucas.
I am here to support the development of lot 18 so long as it is done responsibly.
we look forward to neighbors in our cul-de-sac.
our lots share a contiguous border with lot 18 on the south side of the lot.
lot 18's elevation is higher than lot 19.
in particular, there is significant rain runoff from lot 18 which transends into a sizable depression in my lot, number 19.
the overflow water drains into a culvert under my driveway and feeds a very small creek which drains through yet another culvert under driveway of lot number 20.
any variance or vacation granted to change water easements, critical quality lines or future building permits to lot 18 I hope will be done with earnestness to avoid increased drainoff or runoff on to lot 19.
I hope consideration is made to protect the vera cruz tributary that's next to 18, past my lot 19 and then through a number of lots in the southeast corner of granada oaks that then feeds into flores creek.
the soil in our neck of the woods is clay and not very forgiving when it comes to water drainage.
they say fences make good neighbors.
I believe responsible water drainage and responsible development makes the best of neighbors and additionally protects our natural waterways.
is it possible for the vacation of the drainage easement to include a stipulation that when development occurs, no additional runoff water will be diverted on to lot 19 or any other continuous lot, but rather diverted responsibly into the creek that runs through lot 18?
thank you for your time and consideration for this request.
>> any response by staff?
>> when we reviewed the engineering -- actually I should have one of my engineers that can back me up on this, but when we review requests, we do look to be sure that the action won't cause an impact and change the water characteristics coming on to someone else's lot.
so that should not happen.
>> that should be the purpose of the engineering that was done.
>> uh-huh.
>> there is a further explanation, that's even better.
>> good morning, john stigerwald and I have a contract to purchase that lot.
I am a custom home builders that has built on at least half a dozen other lots in the area including lot 17 just ajay sent to lot 18.
I would agree to a stipulation to not increase water runoff on to lot 18, and in fact anything we would do would only help the runoff.
by developing that we would make sure we have proper drainage on that lot as we do every lot that we build out there.
I guess it is for my personal home and I would want to protect the investment of my neighbors to help my property value -- I mean I don't think that -- that any construction on this lot, keeping in mind good neighbors, good drainage, practical building sense, you know --
>> does that satisfy you?
you will agree to the stipulation?
>> yes, and in fact, the -- he says that the drainage runs right to left if we were to build the home, we can move the drainage back towards the creek as it should flow instead of flowing to the gentleman's home and under the driveway.
>> their goal is to provide you the protection that you seek today.
>> correct.
>> do you all have each other's information so you can contact one another?
>> yes, ma'am.
>> yes, ma'am.
>>
>> [inaudible] he is building a home across the street
>> [inaudible].
>> you are with the home builder, right?
>> yes, sir, I'm the engineer.
>> you back what he just said.
>> I'm sorry?
>> you support what he just said.
>> yes, sir.
>> thank you very much.
thank you all.
anybody else to give comments during this public hearing on this particular item?
dr. Kim?
>> thank you.
I really appreciate all of you, especially drainage department.
I live within Texas since 1982 up until today.
I have no drainage problem at all in anyplace where I go.
do whatever you like, we trust you.
thank you very much.
>> thank you, dr. Kim.
if you don't mind, we'll take credit for that lack of drainage in Travis County.
>> move the public hearing be closed.
>> second.
>> all in favor?
that passes by unanimous vote.
this will be action item number 4 on today's agenda which I will recommend for inclusion on the consent motion that we will take up, it will be a few minutes, it looks like.
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Tuesday, March, 2011 2:19 PM
