Concerns Raised About Growth in County

A citizen from Walhalla raised a number of concerns about growth in Fayette County at the Commissioners Court meeting last Thursday, Feb. 9.

“As rural and unincorporated areas of Fayette County become more and more developed and subdivided, I think its a very important time to address various aspects of development that we have never had to look at before,” said Ken Ripper of Walhalla.

Ripper spoke during the public comment period at Thursday’s meeting. He said stormwater runoff might be “the most critical and overlooked issue.” He said rainwater that falls on agricultural land runs off slowly. “If you have hard surfaces and buildings, the water sheds quickly,” Ripper said. “It gets in the ditches and streams much faster than it has in the past. That’s going to cause areas to flood that have never flooded before.”

Ripper suggested that the County could require developers to address stormwater runoff in their development plans.

Ripper also discussed proliferation of new county roads.

“I understand you have been talking about having the developer post letters of credit or security to ensure that when the County takes over (new roads), the developer is still responsible for damages to the road that are not obvious when we take them over,” Ripper said. “If we as the County take them over too soon, it’s an expense to the taxpayer. I hope you guys continue to pursue that.”

In addition, Ripper asked the Commissioners to lobby the state for power to regulate noise in rural areas. Fayette County does not currently have any authority to regulate noise in unincorporated areas.

“We (can) go to our elected officials and say, ‘Can you change this and give us some teeth so we can enforce the law with noise?’” Ripper said. “If you’re in a city, you’re covered by the city’s noise ordinances. But in the country, in rural unincorporated areas, you don’t have that opportunity. You either have to live with it or move.” Ripper said he would also like developers to set aside habitat for wildlife in their subdivision plans.

“We know we’re going to lose some habitat,” Ripper said. “I would like to see developers set aside some areas for wildlife habitat in their overall plan.”

Ripper said he knows of a development in Boerne that requires developers to plant native grasses.

“They have the most wonderful wildlife and I’d like to see that happen here,” Ripper said.

Ripper also raised concerns about light pollution in rural areas.

“I’ve always loved the night shy,” Ripper said. “People that come visit us look up and say, ‘I’ve never seen the Milky Way before.’ I would hate to lose that.”

State law gives the County no authority to regulate light pollution.

“I would ask that developers provide consideration, perhaps through deed restrictions, to shine lights downward,” Ripper said. “Don’t light up the whole countryside. We need to keep our night sky.”

Lastly, Ripper said developers should consider the impacts of traffic to existing residents.

“In the developer’s plans, I think consideration should be initiated on the impact of traffic on roads, from a safety aspect, not only for the residents who are there now but for the ones who are coming in,” Ripper said.

County Judge Dan Mueller thanked Ripper for his comments.

“You’ve made some good comments and we’ll take those into consideration,” Mueller said.

“I’m looking out to the future and I know development is coming,” Ripper said. “I want us to be ready for it and proactive.”