Burnet City Council recently joined the Burnet County Highland Lakes Sub-Regional Planning Commission (BCHL-SRPC) to prevent the installation of a controversial electrical transmission line.
If the 765-volt line is approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, it will run from Bell County East to Big Hill through much of the Burnet County rural northern landscape.
Many local residents believe the line - proposed by the Lower Colorado River Authority and Oncor, a private firm - poses significant health and safety risks.
As such, Burnet council members indicated thumbs-up to the BCHL-SRPC, during its Feb. 25 meeting at Burnet City Hall, 301 E. Jackson St.
In turn, the council appointed Mayor Gary Wideman and Councilwoman Joyce Laudenschlager to serve on the commission as city of Burnet representatives.
Earlier that day, during a regular meeting at the Burnet County Courthouse, as authorized by the Texas Local Government Code Chapter 391, the county commissioners court created the commission.
Also, the court appointed Pct. 2 Commissioner Damon Beierle and Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Frank Reilly as Burnet County representatives to the commission, referred to as the “391 Commission.”
Later during the evening, County Judge Bryan Wilson attended the council session, as City Manager David Vaughn described the commission and its function.
Vaughn pointed out, even though the commission does not possess regulatory authority, it can still exert considerable impact as an advisory group, like the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG).
“If we want an additional measure to help the community, it (the commission) is the way to do it,” Vaughn told the council.
Then, the city manager turned to Wilson.
“Is there anything you would like to add?” Vaughn asked Wilson.
“I think you have covered it excellently,” Wilson responded.
Planning, Zoning
As the council focused on other matters, it accepted several amendments to multi-family zoning R-3 regulations, including changes related to amenities, masonry, parking, setbacks and perimeter fencing and screens. The changes were accepted as presented by Planning Manager Leslie Kimbler.
Also during the meeting, the council:
• Approved more than $539,000 out of cash reserves for the purchase of more than 16 acres at the Delaware Springs Golf Course;
• Authorized the request for a Texas Community Development Block Grant to provide infrastructure improvements within designated downtown areas;
• Authorized submission of a water conservation grant up to $48,000 to the Lower Colorado River Authority; and
• Approved changes to rates at the Delaware Springs Golf Course (owned by the city) as follows, 18-hole rates, a weekday rate increase of $1 (from $37 to $38); weekend rate increase of $2 (from $51 to $53); twilight rates, weekday increase of $2 (from $20 to $22) and; a weekend increase of $2 (from $28 to $30).
