Texas House Bill HB3315

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to municipal delegation of certain subdivision plat or replat approval responsibility.

Impact

The enactment of HB3315 is expected to facilitate quicker and more efficient approval times for residential developments that do not significantly alter the existing infrastructure. By empowering local officials to make decisions on minor plats and replats, municipalities can better handle applications without needing to involve the entire governing body for every small adjustment. The bill could reduce bureaucratic delays, contributing to enhanced responsiveness in local government.

Summary

House Bill 3315 addresses the delegation of approval responsibilities for subdivision plat or replat applications by municipalities in Texas. Specifically, the bill allows the governing body of a municipality to delegate the authority to approve certain types of plat amendments and minor plats to designated officers or employees. This applies to situations where the approval involves four or fewer lots on an existing street, thus streamlining the approval process for small-scale developments.

Contention

While there may not be widespread opposition documented, concerns could arise regarding the extent of power delegated to municipal employees. Critics may argue that allowing less oversight in the plat approval process could lead to inconsistencies or less rigorous evaluations, potentially undermining community planning efforts. Transparency and public involvement in development applications might also be points of discussion, as delegation could limit public input on smaller projects that may still have community significance.