By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Commission voted during its Tuesday meeting to return the preliminary plat for Big Creek Third Addition to the Joint Ellis County Planning Commission for further review.
The project proposed by Adam Pray would be north of Reservation Road and include 14 residential lots and one stormwater retention lot.
Commissioners cited unresolved concerns involving stormwater drainage, lot sizes and zoning compliance, many of which were also raised by county residents during public comments.
"There are some inaccuracies that need to go back to the zoning commission and be corrected or addressed one way or another," Commissioner Michael Berges said.
Justin Craig, county environmental services director, opened the discussion by outlining concerns about the preliminary plat. He said he is working to secure an agreement with the Big Creek Sewer District before submitting a final application, as there will be no water septic systems.
James Graham, a Big Creek Estates resident, echoed those concerns, questioning the availability of water in the area.
"Water has been a long contentious point regarding any further development within Big Creek Estates," Graham said. "We all rely on domestic water wells for our drinking water and there is no provision of a plan for Ellis County or the city of Hays to provide residents with water if something were to cause an issue with our supply."
Commissioner Neal Younger suggested Big Creek Estates residents explore forming a rural water district or seeking water from the city of Hays. Graham said the city has shown no interest in doing so, based on informal inquiries.
Graham added existing Big Creek Estate residents are already facing high sewer fees, and additional costs for rural water would not be feasible at this time.
Graham said he supports a stormwater retention lot but the proposed design does not comply with county drainage regulations.
"Storm runoff from just about every lot in this plan would have to travel more than 400 feet and cross at least four adjacent lots to reach the retention area," he said.
The proposed lots vary in size from about 12,200 to 25,500 square feet.
Graham also raised concerns about whether the proposed roadway would remain private or be transferred to the county. He noted the planned cul-de-sac radius falls 15 feet short of county standards.
Randy Purdue of Kaw Valley Engineering said the cul-de-sac radius can be adjusted to meet the 75-foot requirement, and the roadway would remain private, with maintenance handled by Pray.
Purdue also addressed concerns about double-fronted lots and said the plat will be revised to limit direct access to existing city roads, including Reservation Road and Logan Drive.
The commission unanimously voted to send the preliminary plat back to the planning and zoning commission, along with a list of issues to be addressed at its Jan. 28 meeting.
Commissioners emphasized they were not denying or approving the preliminary plat.
Other business
The Ellis County District Court received approval to transfer $9,600 from opioid settlement funds to purchase a one-year license for a phone application that would be used to monitor up to 30 individuals released on supervised bond.
The commission also approved a resolution formally establishing weight limits on certain county-maintained bridges.