BC development drainage system explained, passed at meeting

David Ball

For The Record

Robert Cash, developer for Marsh Estates off of West Roundbunch Road in Bridge City, said his drainage system will become the new adopted standard for Orange County.

Cash addressed the Bridge City City Council at their regular meeting Tuesday night. Residents who live nearby said the area is prone to flooding and they think that threat will be elevated if the development goes through. Ultimately, the Council approved the preliminary plat for Marsh Estates on a 15.51 acre tract of land. The vote was 6 to 1 with Councilwoman Tammi Fisette voting no.

The discussion began when Councilman Kirk Roccaforte said there have been some concerns about drainage issues. He believed Cash’s plan would relieve some flooding.

Cash said he approached Orange County Drainage District and the State of Texas, did a hydrograph study and walked the property several times. He added that they don’t want to create further problems.

“We’re regrading the property so that it will drain the other direction,” Cash said. “We will develop a 645-foot concrete lining ditch and a retention pond that will hold 198,000 gallons of water. It will drain to a state ditch to (FM) 1442. This will allow more capacity flow. We want to ensure we’ll have a negative effect on anyone. We want to have a positive effect. We’ve talked to several in the neighborhood. The homes will be from $200,000 to $300,000 so there will be no value loss.”

Fisette said she has concerns about retention ponds being dug because Bridge City is too low.

Roccaforte said under the plan the water will flow and wait in the pond while other water is moving out.

Fisette said she’s concerned about the neighborhood behind the proposed development because the problem hasn’t yet been fixed.

Cash said his plan is part of the solution.

The water will have more room to flow downhill. The concrete lining ditch will run from Charlotte Street to a new street to be built.

Cash added that the drainage system will be installed prior to homes being built.

City manager Jerry Jones said he looked at the property and believes the drainage system will help the entire area.

In other council business, it was approved to call a joint public hearing with the Planning and Zoning Commission at 6 p.m. on June 5 at city hall immediately prior to the City Council meeting.

Public comments will be heard on a proposed zone change from R-1 (single family residential) to R-3 (multi-family residential) as requested by owner, Chad Landry, located at 158 and 160 Granger, to build duplexes on the property.

The Council approved amending Section 12 and Section 17 of the City of Bridge City Council Decorum and Procedures policy to provide procedures for the city to review, approve and place Council and citizen requests on the agenda.

Mayor David Rutledge said in the past there has been issues with the procedure and delays waiting on the posting of legal notices, etc. This new policy will streamline the process and make it more accessible to citizens by getting an individual Councilmember assigned and involved in an issue.

“It leads to more action to get things done before it becomes a bigger problem and the whole legalistic thing,” he said.

Councilman Carl Harbert said the new policy makes the Council more involved.

Fisette said it’s more one on one contact.

“It’s like a citizen has their own personal Councilmember. I think this will be an improvement,” she said.

A City Council workshop is scheduled at 6 p.m. on May 22 to discuss administration of the decorum policy.