Earlier this month, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) decided the pending permit for the proposed Guajolote Ranch development meets all legal requirements. The TCEQ says developer Lennar Homes is not authorized to begin construction despite the recent decision and concerned citizens are continuing to fight against the permit.
Click for the TCEQ Response PDF
Last May hundreds of people packed a TCEQ public meeting to voice their opposition to the application for an on-site wastewater treatment plant for Guajolote Ranch, a proposed development in Northwest Bexar County. If the permit moves forward, it would allow the facility, located 1.75 miles Southwest of the intersection of Scenic Loop and Babcock Road, to discharge 1 million gallons of effluent into Helotes Creek daily.
Citizen groups along with the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) will request a contested case hearing–the next step in the legal process.
Nathan Glavy, GEAA’s technical director, said their efforts over the past few weeks have focused on getting more neighbors south of the project involved because the TCEQ will only consider input for a contested hearing from “affected persons.” These individuals must be in close proximity to the proposed wastewater treatment facility or have property along Helotes Creek.
The TCEQ legal definition for “an affected person is anyone who has a personal justiciable interest related to a legal right, duty, privilege, power, or economic interest affected by the application.”
Glavy said the February TCEQ deadline to request the contested hearing is quickly approaching so interested residents should contact the GEAA offices at 210-320-6298 as soon as possible to determine if they qualify.
Editorial Note: Previous reporting to include Representative Mark Dorazio’s statement are linked below:
Press Release: REP. Mark Dorazio Calls on TCEQ to Deny Permit for Wastewater Facility