Friday, April 19, 2024
Questions about road access to the future Firefly RV Park as well as whether to require the business to meet subdivision requirements led to plenty of discussion were resolved with the approval of a variance on Feb. 28 by the Coryell County Commissioners Court.
During a Feb. 14 meeting at which no action was taken, questions about requirements for the road to the RV Park were addressed. "We went through the checklist and they met our regulations, but would have to build roads to our subdivision standards," said Justin Mannix, who is with the county's road and bridge department. Stating that the county has no intention of taking over ownership of the road on the property, Mannix said, "I don't know why we care if it's paved or not."
He added that city of Gatesville leaders are "concerned because they don't view Veterans Memorial Drive as a road and the county does. The county has always viewed it as a road."
The RV park is located outside the Gatesville city limits, but falls within the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The city also voted in May 2022 to provide water to the RV park., which is located near the Gatesville Civic Center and nearby athletic fields and rodeo arena.
County Judge Roger Miller said because the property is within the city's ETJ, the city is required to create a plat for it. However, the county also has some authority regarding the RV park.
"Our regulations give you (the county commissioners court) the authority to approve or deny an RV park," said Justin Latham, director of the road and bridge department.
"They're not going to sell those slabs (where RVs will be located) but the court needs to note in its minutes whether they approve the application," Mannix said.
Latham said there are new regulations (for the county) that went into effect "about a year ago, so this is uncharted water for us."
He added that any RV park that had three or more sites for RVs is within the realm of county oversight.
"They applied for ag use only on road access," Latham said.
Commissioner Keith Taylor noted there is a road between the RV park and duplexes that are owned by Bob Brown.
"That road was abandoned — half belongs to Mr. Massingill and half belongs to Mr. Brown," Miller said. "I don't know if it was ever developed as a (real) road. If Mr. Massingill gave up some of his property, he could have a more southerly entrance."
Although the city granted water access to the property, it has not extended sewer services to the area.
"They will have multiple septic systems on site, all under 5,000 gallons," Latham said. “Brandon (Belt, the county attorney) views these as separate and has tried to get in touch with TCEQ (the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) but there hasn't been a response."
Latham asked the commissioners court about requirements for the road accessing the property.
"What about the road construction criteria?" he asked. "Do they build it to our subdivision regulations? Is that too much? We're never going to take that road over. Our current regulations state they have to build the road to our subdivision standards."
Taylor said his only question is about access to the property.
"I don't know why they (the RV park owners) don't get something from the city saying they are granting access. They granted them water."
Miller said certain requirements must be met regarding access.
"It has to be acceptable (entrance and exit) for emergency vehicles regardless of the road conditions."
Commissioner Kyle Matthews said the RV slabs on site "are not designed for residential — they are for up to 10 days occupancy."
"That's a big difference letting people live there versus bringing in tourists (for temporary occupancy)," Commissioner Scott Weddle said.
In addition to the 120 sites for the RV, a park area, dog park and swimming pool are planned for the property.
In a meeting with the Gatesville City Council last spring, owner Lynn Massingill said the property will be "an upscale RV park."
Another issue is related to a soundproof wall to be located on the property, and Mannix said that Massingill has said he will have the wall built.
"This is in my precinct," he said. "If the city feels uncomfortable, we can reach out to Mr. Massingill (regarding access)."
Latham said if the county granted a variance that would not require the road to be built to subdivision standards, other requirements will have to be met, including geotechnical engineering.
"By our regulations that is what is lacking," he said. "The owner has said he will put in the soundproof wall."
