Commissioners approve fiber cabinet and multi‑road pipeline crossings with contingencies

Walker County Commissioners Court approved permits Dec. 29 for a fiber‑optic utility cabinet proposed by EZ Fiber Texas LLC and for a series of Trident Interstate Pipeline LLC natural gas pipeline road crossings, while placing conditions on documentation and right‑of‑way verification.

Jeffrey Brown, who identified himself as Director of Master Planned Communities for the applicant company, told the court the proposed cabinet would sit on a 4x4-foot concrete pad, stand roughly 50 inches tall and serve "about 5,000 customers" across southern Walker County and parts of northern Montgomery County. County staff said they had not yet received documentation showing recorded easements or a drainage‑impact analysis and asked the company to provide those materials; staff also asked for the exact location relative to existing utilities.

Commissioners debated visibility, property impacts and maintenance responsibility. One commissioner suggested protective bollards or similar armor because roadside equipment can be struck by vehicles or mowers. County staff said state law authorizes utilities in the public right of way but asked the applicant to provide an address and coordination materials for the county's review; the court voted to approve the request subject to the requested documentation and follow-up review.

Separately, staff presented multiple Trident Interstate Pipeline requests to install a 42‑inch natural gas pipeline across several county roads. Staff reported no objection to the pipeline crossings provided the applicant obtains any necessary easements and records and complies with crossing‑angle and right‑of‑way conditions; one crossing request asked for a variance because the proposed angle was about 57.4 degrees rather than approximately perpendicular. The court approved the pipeline installations with the stated contingencies.

County staff said they would forward additional correspondence and plan review requests to both applicants for compliance verification before final acceptance.