Plat approvals pave way for 225 homes
There were no comments against the proposed construction of 30 new homesites in Navasota Hills at the March 10 public hearing. Examiner photo by Connie Clements
The Navasota Planning and Zoning Commission held a Regular Meeting Thursday, March 10, and approved two preliminary plats which will potentially add 225 rooftops to the Navasota skyline.
Dove Crossing expansion
After a public hearing with no comments against, commissioners approved the preliminary replat application submitted by Texas Group Development, LLC for development of the 5.08-acre Navasota Hills in the Dove Crossing subdivision. According to Development Services Director Lupe Diosdado, the public hearing notification process consisted of 60 public notice letters to surrounding property owners, a sign on the property and a public notice in the Navasota Examiner.
Diosdado has been working with the Texas Group since mid-2019. Since then, P&Z and city council approved the zoning change to a PUD (Planned Unit Development) to correspond with neighboring developments Dove Landing and Dove Court and in March 2021, P&Z requested construction of a park since there are no sidewalks along Dove Crossing Lane providing access to Patout Pond.
Lots are 4,500 square feet and the current replat of the 30-lot subdivision contains sidewalks on both sides of the street and relocates two detention ponds closer to Dove Crossing Lane but due to the proximity of Patout Pond, there will be no parkland dedication.
A portion of the property is within the 100 Year Unstudied Flood Zone “A” and generated discussion about runoff and the ponds’ ability to handle Navasota’s flash floods.
Texas Group Development manager, Roberto Alvarez, advised that during their four years working on the project, they’ve “made a lot of changes” related to water.
Pecan Lakes IV adds 195 homes
Commissioners approved the preliminary plat application submitted by J&H Development for a 63.55 acre, 195-lot residential subdivision along CR 424 - contingent upon approval of a subdivision variance application related to park development fees.
According to Diosdado, the City’s parkland dedication formula would require developer James Hassell to dedicate 4-acres for the 195 lots.
Diosdado said, “Mr. Hassell is proposing to offer 12-acres. Most of it but not all of it is in the flood plain. That’s still double what’s required. Technically with the flood plain, it would only be 8-acres because in the flood plain two counts for one, but him providing twelve is double the required amount.”
Regarding the park development fee, Diosdado said, “His variance application is, instead of paying the park development fee, taking the monetary value of those additional 4-acres plus doing a parking area for visitors of the park and including that to be equal in value to what the fee should have been if he paid the fee.”
Based on the current ordinance, the fee would be $68,000, and will be addressed in the variance application to come before P&Z March 24.
Diosdado addressed a neighbor’s drainage concerns Phase III, and said, “There will be a pretty large swell maintained along the east side of the project and that’s to prevent any drainage issues with the neighbor. That’s been highlighted to assure that neighbor is not affected.”
Minimum lot size will be 6,000 square feet and sidewalks will be constructed on both sides of the street.
Other business
Before adjourning, commissioners approved the minutes of the Feb. 24 meeting. Present were commissioners Debbie Hancock, James Harris, Carolyn Katkoski, chairperson Randy Peters, Dr. John Walla and Todd Wisner. Dia Copeland was absent.
P&Z meets the second and fourth Thursday at 6 p.m. in city council chambers at 200 E. McAlpine Street. The schedule for P&Z meetings and meeting videos is available at https://www.navasotatx.gov/planning-zoning-commission.