Commissioners deny subdivision variance for Goodell Ranch over water‑availability concerns

Henderson County commissioners denied a request to waive the county’s groundwater‑availability study requirement for a proposed three‑lot subdivision of Goodell Ranch, citing concerns about precedent and county responsibility to ensure infrastructure availability.

Developer representatives presented records and an expert asserting the property sits over the Carrizo‑Wilcox aquifer and cited existing wells within 700 feet that report high yields. The developer asked the court to grant a statutory exemption (which allows a waiver for tracts under certain criteria); commissioners noted that county subdivision rules are stricter than the statutory exemption and expressed concern that approving the waiver could create a recurring precedent allowing small subdivisions without guaranteed water infrastructure.

Commissioners discussed mitigation options including bonds, conditional approvals requiring drilling and water production, and whether to require the developer to fund one or more production wells before lot sales. Commissioners ultimately voted to deny the variance request and directed staff to notify the applicant of the decision.

Votes and motion: Motion to deny the variance/subdivision exemption request by Commissioner Tulie; second by Commissioner Richardson. Vote: unanimous denial.