Commissioners delay decision on Wonderful Bees drainage variance, ask staff for full study

Chambers County commissioners on Jan. 14 tabled action on a variance request from Wonderful Bees development that sought to treat a proposed commercial building under residential drainage requirements and to avoid constructing a retention pond.

The developer’s representative, John Phelan, told the court the construction was changed from living quarters to a storage building with no water or power and that he hoped to avoid the larger commercial detention requirements. Jerry Shatt of Trinity Bay Conservation District said a multi‑year drainage study and ditch work were completed to improve drainage in the area and that Trinity Bay had installed pipes and a ditch to handle runoff.

County staff and several commissioners said they had not yet received or reviewed the drainage documentation and voiced concern about setting a precedent that could lead other commercial projects to seek similar waivers. One commissioner called the change “a can of worms” if the county simply applies residential standards to commercial development. The court directed staff to provide the study and related documents to Zach (county legal/development staff) for review, and tabled the item so commissioners can consider the full record and a recommendation.

Why it matters: The outcome affects how the county applies drainage and permitting standards to developments that sit between commercial and agricultural uses. Commissioners cited concerns about precedent and the need to ensure that drainage infrastructure is sufficient to prevent downstream flooding.

Ending: Commissioners instructed staff to resend the requested documentation and return the item to a future court after Zach completes review.