By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
“I approved it before and I’ll approve it again.” “And I’ll be right there with you.”
Hays Mayor Henry Schwaller and City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs were quick Thursday night to reiterate their support of the Blue Sky Acres Addition final plat.
The property 2.5 miles south of Hays and on the west side of Highway 183 is adjacent to seven residential properties and is currently undeveloped farm ground. The plat is comprised of six lots, ranging in size from 2.5 to 3 acres, slated for residential development. Rezoning of the 20-acres property from agricultural to residential suburban was approved by the city commission Jan. 14, 2016.
On April 18, 2016 the final plat was reviewed and approved on a 6-1 vote by the Hays Area Planning Commission.
The Ellis County Commission, on a 1-1 vote, did not approve the request by property owner Mary Ann Unrein. She sued the commission and Commissioner Marcy McClelland. A judge ruled in favor of the commission and McClelland who was defeated in the next election.
On March 18, 2019, the county commission unanimously approved the final plat on a 3-0 vote.
Ron Mellick, city commissioner, attended last month’s county meeting. “They addressed all the issues very well so I don’t see any reason not to move it on.”
“Fine example of why elections matter,” added James Meier, who is up for re-election to the city commission. “This is clearly within the jurisdiction of the county.”
The city commission will vote on the final plat during its April 11 meeting.
Hays is involved because the property is located within 3 miles of the city limits, in the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).
“In that three mile district we have authority over the zoning and then we have to approve all the plats,” explained Jacob Wood, assistant Hays city manager.
“We still don’t do building inspections or anything like that. It’s really just about the property and the use of the property.
“We’ve already actually approved the zoning. The plat, which is kind of the map or layout of what that property will look like once they develop it, that is something the city has a say in as well.”
Jesse Rohr, Hays public works director, told the city commission that Blue Sky Acres will have private roads to be built and maintained by the developer and adjacent lot owners. The subdivision will be accessed with existing entrances off Highway 183. The plat includes dedication of road and alley right-of-ways.