Thought of the Month
Not that we print a “thought of the month” every month, but I wanted to share a statement that I read in a recent newsletter I received from the Central Texas Housing Consortium.

“Safe, decent and affordable housing is pivotal in our society—beyond providing basic shelter, it positively impacts the economy and improves the quality of our environment.” 

If you agree with this statement and wish to vocalize your support for affordable housing in America, click here and sign the petition.

EPA Delivers SWPPP Guide
TABA has received a reference guide for developing storm water plans.  We have them at the office.  Feel free to come by the office at 12 North 5th to pick one up.

They are also available online.  Click here to download your copy.

TRCC to consider new rules
TRCC’s latest proposed rules regarding 3rd party inspections in unincorporated areas and changes to the SIRP process are under consideration.  The TABA Government Affairs Committee has reviewed the changes and submitted several questions to the Texas Association of Builders (TAB).  They are working to formally comment on the new rules.  TABA may join TAB at a hearing on the rules in mid-February.  We’ll keep you posted as this all becomes clearer.

Bell County Storm Water Program Draft Complete
The Bell County Commissioners met in mid-January to review the county storm water program (focus on pp. 17 – 22) that was created solely by County Engineer Richard Macchi.  Richard stated that he created the program to mirror a similar program that is used in Tarrant County.  He also visited with local municipalities to gauge the directions they are headed with their plans.  Please review the program at the link above and let me know if you have any comments that you’d like me to present to Mr. Macchi.  He’ll need to know something soon. 

Notes from that meeting are as follows:

  1. Though counties have limited ordinance authority, they are required to submit a MS4 plan to the TCEQ.
  2. The county plan will affect those with construction projects in ‘urbanized areas’ of the county, or those areas with 1,000 or more people per square mile.  [ie: area around Temple Lake Park (Temple has recently annexed a portion of this) and on the south end of the lake at the loop and Sparta Road].  Builders will be expected to turn in NOI’s to the County if they plan projects that will disturb more than an acre of land… 
  3. “Unlike cities, counties are not authorized by the State to enact ordinances and implement all of the regulatory requirements that Phase 2, MS-4 requires.  Bell County addresses these regulatory requirements to the extent allowable under State and local law.”
  4. Six minimum control measures are included in the program.  They are similar to what cities have been considering.
  5. Page 18 of the report (link above) lists the criteria for filing NOI’s for construction.
  6. The County will be the lead for public submittal of complaints.  They will try to resolve all construction issues at a local level in lieu of involving the TCEQ.  TCEQ will be the final authority.
  7. Post construction control measures offered by the County list no ‘man-made’ controls.  All suggested measures are natural and include items like vegetative buffers and man made ditches.  These are effective and less expensive to implement and maintain over time than ‘man-made’ controls.
  8. Kristi Andrews is creating the program for Morgan’s Point.  KPA is working on the Belton report.

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