Resident Jeff Basinger raises permit, septic and fencing concerns at Denton Planning & Zoning public hearing

Jeff Basinger, a resident who said he lives at 631 Country Club Road, urged the Denton Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 26 to scrutinize permits, septic service and fencing at a nearby property associated with Ranch Hand Rescue. "This property has been over the course of 10 years... it's supposed to be a equine facility, not an overnight stay, you know, long term care facility for, you know, drug treatment," Basinger said during the public hearing, which staff opened and then left open until the commission's Sept. 9 meeting.

Basinger told the commission he could not find a building permit in city records for recent construction at the site, said the facility uses an old septic tank rather than an aerobic system, and raised an apparent discrepancy between the property's recorded size and signage. He noted the sign stated "approximately 1 acre," while city records show 0.9 acres, and he said the property now appears to be operating as a group home requiring a SUP and additional fire-safety systems. "The sewer is the big thing," Basinger added, and he also described an 8-foot fence more than 700 feet long on the frontage as a local concern.

The chair responded that staff will make a fuller presentation at the next meeting and encouraged Basinger to return on Sept. 9 when staff and others will speak. The commission left the hearing open to allow staff time to report and to permit additional public comment at the next scheduled meeting; no formal action was taken on the hearing item at this session.