11.a.
Commissioners Court Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 02/23/2026
- Title:
- Groundwater Study waiver
- Submitted for:
- Jorge Calderon
- Submitted By:
- Jorge Calderon
- Department:
- Planning & Physical Development
Subject:
Discussion and possible action to grant a waiver from the ground water study requirements under Section 232.0032, Texas Local Government Code (TLGC), for all subdivision plat applications subject to Section 232, Subchapter A, TLGC (non-residential subdivisions in border counties) and located in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer as authorized by Section 232.0032(a-1), TLGC and any other matters incident thereto.
Issue: Section 232.0032 of the TLGC requires subdivision plat applications subject to Section 232, Subchapter A, TLGC to submit an extensive groundwater study where no organized water services are available. The groundwater study requirement does not mandate that the developer provide water services, just demonstrate that it is available. The groundwater study adds an additional unnecessary burden to commercial developers in border counties that already have strict water and wastewater regulations under the Model Rules and 232, Subchapter B, TLGC for residential subdivisions.
Solution: Section 232.0032(a-1) allows counties to grant a waiver from groundwater study requirements if there is evidence that there is sufficient groundwater available, will continue to be available and the proposed subdivision is located in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. The County has evidence through recent groundwater studies that there is sufficient groundwater and will continue to be available in the area of the aforementioned aquifer.
Result: Granting a waiver from the groundwater study requirement will keep commercial development costs down and simplify the plat application process for non-residential plats in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer.
Issue: Section 232.0032 of the TLGC requires subdivision plat applications subject to Section 232, Subchapter A, TLGC to submit an extensive groundwater study where no organized water services are available. The groundwater study requirement does not mandate that the developer provide water services, just demonstrate that it is available. The groundwater study adds an additional unnecessary burden to commercial developers in border counties that already have strict water and wastewater regulations under the Model Rules and 232, Subchapter B, TLGC for residential subdivisions.
Solution: Section 232.0032(a-1) allows counties to grant a waiver from groundwater study requirements if there is evidence that there is sufficient groundwater available, will continue to be available and the proposed subdivision is located in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. The County has evidence through recent groundwater studies that there is sufficient groundwater and will continue to be available in the area of the aforementioned aquifer.
Result: Granting a waiver from the groundwater study requirement will keep commercial development costs down and simplify the plat application process for non-residential plats in the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer.
Background:
Section 232.0032 of the TLGC requires subdivision plat applications subject to Section 232, Subchapter A, TLGC to submit an extensive groundwater study where no organized water services are available. The groundwater study requirement does not mandate that the developer provide water services, just demonstrate that it is available. The groundwater study adds an additional unnecessary burden to commercial developers in border counties that already have strict water and wastewater regulations under the Model Rules and 232, Subchapter B, TLGC for residential subdivisions.
Previous Court Action:
N/A
Fiscal Impact
- Budget Account Number:
- n/a
- Funding Source:
- n/a
- Balance:
- n/a
Financial Impact:
N/A