The Better Edwards Aquifer Alliance has sued the Texas Fee on Environmental High quality (TCEQ), alleging the company wrongfully issued a allow to Lennar Corp. for the development of a wastewater plant as a part of the controversial Guajolote Ranch improvement.
Particularly, the 295-page submitting in Travis County District Court docket alleges TCEQ made errors in projecting the potential injury the wastewater plant — which is able to serve the proposed 2,900-home improvement in far northwest Bexar County — will trigger to the Edwards Aquifer.
Randy Neumann, who chairs the steering committee of the Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance — a member group of the Better Edwards Aquifer Alliance — stated the go well with is more likely to take no less than a 12 months to maneuver by the courts.
“Whereas the lawsuit doesn’t halt the Guajolote Ranch venture, it creates vital uncertainty across the proposed wastewater therapy plant,” Neumann stated in an announcement. “Any funding in that facility might be in danger if the allow is finally remanded or vacated.”
Neumann advised the Present that Lennar hasn’t but bought the land the place both the housing improvement or wastewater therapy plant is to be constructed. He speculated that Lennar is unlikely to purchase the land whereas the lawsuit is pending, since any of these funds could be wasted ought to the go well with consequence within the state approval for the wastewater therapy plant being revoked.
“They’re actually caught on this limbo land of ‘What can we do now?’ due to this lawsuit,” Neumann stated.
Additional complicating issues for Lennar is a Metropolis Council vote subsequent week on whether or not to approve the house builder’s request to create a Municipal Utility District for the Guajolote Ranch improvement.
A MUD is a particular government-like entity created to supply important providers in creating areas outdoors metropolis limits the place municipalities can’t lengthen providers. Sometimes, MUDs are used to finance infrastructure by bond restore by property taxes.
Nevertheless, opponents of Lennar’s improvement, together with the Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance and the Better Edwards Aquifer Alliance, stated establishing a MUD would dramatically enhance taxes for residents of and round Guajolote Ranch.
A majority of Metropolis Council members spoke out in opposition to the MUD throughout a gathering final week to overview the proposal.
“Even when a MUD had been accepted, ongoing authorized challenges may have an effect on bonding and financing,” Neumann stated. “Collectively, we imagine these components place the event in a much more difficult and unsure surroundings.”
If the MUD isn’t accepted, Lennar could be pressured to enter negotiations with the town and different utility suppliers to safe offers to supply fundamental providers to the event, Neumann advised the Present.
Keep tuned.
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