Water remains a top issue
FAIR OAKS RANCH — Concerns about maintaining an adequate water supply dominated two City Council sessions this past week, inviting public comments on the city’s strategic action plan.
The pair of in-person sessions sought residents’ perspectives, ideas, experiences and challenges to help craft development and growth plans for the proposed SAP, officials said.
One central issue emerged from both sessions: the water supply.
“Having someone to make sure water is coming out (of) our tap – that’s something people would want,” an unidentified resident said. Attendees noted some areas of the city are more rural than others and aired concerns water must be available to supply the diverse properties.
Other issues that came up included challenges of enacting universal rules, sustainability and traffic.
According to a time frame submitted by a consultant, the city’s Steering Committee Feb. 18-19 will review the residents’feedback.
“Throughout these months, you will be receiving summaries of each meeting.”
— Patrick Ibarra, co-founder of The Mejorando Group In March, the council and the committee will refine the responses, organize a draft on April 2 and possibly by May 7 adopt the final SAP.
Patrick Ibarra, co-founder of The Mejorando Group that works with governments on municipal planning, led the discussion.
Dozens of neighbors attended, officials said, as well as Mayor Greg Maxton and council members.
During the comments, residents said the diversity of the city — which was once a large ranch — creates challenges for one-size-fits-all rules.
“I’ve lived here over 30 years. It is a city; there is a city of Fair Oaks Ranch,” said one speaker. “But it’s many, many little cities within the city that are just not the same. North 40 is not the same as Elkhorn Ridge. We need to understand that this is a diverse city and it needs to be treated that way.”
Other key issues raised by residents included sustainable growth, the Texas Department of Transportation’s plans for repairing roads and measures to ensure safety.
The data compiled from comments and an online survey will be provided to the council. Other discussions on the strategic action plan are anticipated, Ibarra said.
“Throughout these months, you will be receiving summaries of each meeting,” Ibarra said at a special-called council meeting Jan. 21. “I would contend that with all due respect to finance, the city’s most precious resource is time. Because there is no shortage of competing priorities.”
To offer feedback on the plan, visit https://engage. zencity.io/fair-oaks-ranch-tx/ en- US/ engagements/ 3b-71fc91- 2cf8- 4491- acda-573b417c83e7?utm_medium= referral.
Comment
Comments