Rezoning tops city agenda
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Whitehouse City Council members mixed business with pleasure at Tuesday's regular meeting, taking a few minutes to recognize the success of two sports entities at Whitehouse High School before tackling ongoing issues such as water sources and development.

Mayor Jake Jacobson issued proclamations designating the week of Nov. 27 as Coach Wally Dawkins Week in recognition of his recent 500th career victory, and December as Wildcat Pride Month, honoring the players, coaches and staff for their dedication, sportsmanship and hard work. Jacobson also noted Dawkins' dedication to his players and their personal growth and academic achievement as another measure of his coaching success.

In other matters, council approved preliminary plats for two proposed developments: Hamilton Park, a 103-home addition bordering the Whitehouse Cemetery; and The Arbors at Wildwood, a mixed-use site merging residential and commercial elements with walking trails and a neighborhood park.

Surveyor Wes Turley spoke on behalf of Canaan Land Development Corporation, which submitted the preliminary plat and site plan for Hamilton Park. Council also approved a change in zoning from Agricultural to Single Family Detached Planned Development for Hamilton Park.

Although council approved the rezoning and preliminary plans, questions were raised about water drainage issues and lot size.

Proposed homes would range from 1,600 sq. ft. living space to 2,000 sq. ft., with 50' lots for the smaller homes.

"The tendency to smaller lot size is a direct result to the cost of infrastructure," said Turley.

Council voted unanimously to approve the proposal, but member Mike Adams criticized the lack of zoning ordinances prohibiting the 50' lots.

"They're within their rights, but it's a bad mark on us," he said, referring to council and the Planning and Zoning Committee.

In terms of the drainage issues, Turley said the streets would be undercut to encourage water to drain to the streets; an existing creek on the property is also expected to factor into drainage.

Speaking against the proposal in citizens' comments, Jill Hackler cited drainage as her greatest concern. "I have a horrendous water problem," said Hackler, a resident of Memory Lane who owns 27 acres that run behind the cemetery.

Hackler said she had sold property before to Conaway Homes with assurances about how excess water would be handled, and she was unhappy with the results.

Turley said developers had not done a preliminary impact study but would submit that before final approval and reminded council that all aspects of the proposal would be subject to approval by the city's engineer.

The Arbors, a proposal of Spicewood Development out of Austin, would be west of Hwy. 110, just south of the city limits. Representative Stephanie Rawlings told council developers would like the addition to be annexed into the city limits with Whitehouse providing water and sewer. Because of the proposed location, a conflict with Walnut Grove may exist. Council does not want a dual partnership for water and sewer. Speaking in favor of the proposal,

Mark Sweeney of P&Z said, "This is the southern gateway we had planned and talked about. We're very excited about this project and hope it comes to fruition."

In other matters, council gave approval for a test hole for Water Well #7 and heard an update from City Manager Ronny Fite in regard to ongoing talks with Lake Striker officials.

Fite said a $150,000 per year purchase option contract to reserve the rights to 3.9 million gallons of water per day was in development, though council wanted to have more specific numbers regarding the actual purchase price for taking water before making any decisions.

Jed Dillingham, director of finance, urged council to make a realistic evaluation of how much water the city needs before moving forward with a contract to reserve water, especially considering financial pursuit of other options such as Lake Columbia and the city's water wells.

Water well #7, if followed through to a completed project, would cost the city approximately $1 million.

Lake Columbia is not a "done deal," said Fite. It was also discussed that Whitehouse could share costs in developing pipeline and treatment facilities with neighboring cities interested in a cooperative, as well as resell excess water.