Rockwall, TX-April 2, 2024 – Rockwall County Judge Frank New believes that the county is currently experiencing uncontrolled growth and development. He argues that this is the result of developers having too much control over the pace and scale of growth.
According to Judge New, “The Texas Legislature has granted counties certain regulatory authority over development.” Local Government Code, section 232.101, authorizes commissioners courts to adopt rules governing plats and subdivisions to promote the health, safety, morals, or general welfare of the county and the safe, orderly, and healthful development of the unincorporated area of the county. “We should be a creative voice for the citizens and engage in this debate to help ensure that future development in the county pays its fair share for the services that the development will use,” New said. “Let’s avail ourselves of the tools that the legislature has provided and thereby encourage developers to come to the negotiation table and be good neighbors.”
In February of 2023, the Commissioners Court formally adopted Section 232.110 of the TX Local Government Code in its entirety, bringing it into the Rockwall County Subdivision & Land Development Regulations. On February 13, 2024, the Commissioners Court approved the following list of 16 infrastructure items. The next step is to apportion proportionate costs to be borne by developers to offset the increased county infrastructure needs.
Rockwall County has determined the following to be critical infrastructure:
1) Schools
2) Roads
3) ESC/EMT (Ambulance)
4) Fire
5) Police
6) Water
7) Sewer
8) Broadband
9) Electric
10) Natural Gas
11) Open Space
12) Drainage
13) Animal Control
14) Dispatch/911/GIS Services
15) Trash/Refuse
16) Radio Communications
“I am not anti-growth,” Judge New argues. “I want us to develop properly at a pace and scale we can keep up with.”
Press Release: Rockwall County’s Unchecked Growth and Development Submitted by: Jim Barto, Public Information Officer, Rockwall County
