PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
16 JUNE 2026
Chair Andy Edwards opened the meeting asking Tommy Price to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The minutes of April and May 2026 were moved to be combined and were moved for approval by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Brian Marks, and were approved unanimously. The Chair asked if there were any public comments after a motion by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Tommy Pope, to rearrange the agenda allowing discussion on the Gile County subdivision standards. Ms. Leah Bailey thanked all for the work done and provided the following recommendations/concerns: Section 4.b.ii – “not involving the construction of roads” recommend clarify; 4.b.iii – “Lots created under this exemption shall not be conveyed to non-family members ” other counties show hardship or foreclosure; 4.b.iv “eligibility for an exemption” what is required to show eligibility; 8.b re sign off, need to show a response time, a solid cut off; App #3 notify developer, subdivision standard should have say in some level for the consultant, especially fees. The Chair asked if there were any other public comments on the subdivision standards and there were none. The Chair then closed all comments on the standards at this time.
Review/approval of plats (4) for the Bigham farm, and plat (1) for the Kirkpatrick Fall River Estate (all plats provided and available for review at meeting) – Surveyor Knox Smith for Bigham, and surveyor Daniel Green were available for questions/discussion. The Chair then asked Commission members to step forward and review the plats for a few minutes and come back to deliberate. The Chair noted the Fall River Estate had not been included in the agenda before this time. After approximately 16 minutes of deliberation, questions asked and answered, Secretary Kristen Pfeiffer of the Commission signed the Fall River Estate plat. The Chair also noted that plats submitted by Mr. Bigham were not accepted and would be placed on the next agenda.
Chair Edwards gave his report noting that the update to the standards from April-May meetings had been provided in a handout. Commissioner Terry Jones in addressing Ms. Bailey’s comment on consultant fee noted that there had been a $500 limit placed on those services. The Chair discussed the Commission’s responsibility in responding in that if the Commission doesn’t respond within a certain time period, the plat is considered approved. He did note any ambiguity would be removed. Tommy Pope addressed his concerns about water availability for any new building, with Brian Marks noting volume and pressure also have to be considered. The Chair stated that in record keeping the commission relies on the utility districts. A motion by Commissioner Terry Jones, seconded by Tommy Pope was made to not approve the proposed standards available at this time and work to further clarify based on recommendations by the public. Motion approved.
The Chair said there would be no meeting in July for the Commission. Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about reducing the five-year hold for family members be reconsidered with the Chair saying that would be on the next agenda. The Chair said the next meeting would be scheduled for 4 August 2026 at 5 p.m. in the basement conference room of the Courthouse Annex.
New Business – Mr. Matthew Germano discussed his property located in Waco, Giles County, and said he had discussed this with the County Executive Graham Stowe and RPC Chair Andy Edwards. He also said he had the plat with him at this time. After some discussion Brian Marks stated that since the properties original deed had 2 tracts listed and the Germanos were selling 2 tracts, there was no business for the RPC to consider for this property.
Motion to adjourn was made by Tommy Pope, seconded by Commissioner Terry Jones, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee Chair Andy Edwards, other Committee members – Tommy Price, Kristen Pfeiffer, Malcolm Moore, Brian Marks, Tommy Pope (absent John Haislip) Commissioners Terry Jones, Annelle Guthrie, (Absent – Caleb Savage) Other Commissioners in attendance Gayle Jones, David Adams, Rickie Carpenter, David Wamble Other School Board Chair Knox Vanderpool, and Members of the public