Liberty approves plat and names substitute judge

The Liberty City Council met Tuesday night in a special called meeting that saw the council approve a preliminary plat for a new subdivision and appoint a new substitute municipal judge in the city.

Council voted 6-0 to approve the plat for Liberty Ranch, located off the east side of HWY 146 near the new Liberty County Sheriff’s Complex. The development is under the guidance of the Waterstone Development Group.

Liberty Ranch is a 54-acre development that will feature 217 lots when completed. The project will come in two phases, with the first featuring 108 lots and the second will consist of the additional 109.

Council approved the developer’s agreement with the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission on April 20 to reduce lot sizes from current city requirements, bringing them from 6,000 to 5,000 square feet.

In addition, the new subdivision will have underground utilities and is being required to utilize existing runoff drainage on an adjacent piece of private property; those talks are underway with that property owner.

Liberty Ranch will have a homeowners association and deed restrictions, with a park area that will include a seated pavilion and jungle gym. According to developer Charles Von Schmidt, the homes in the new subdivision will be constructed by Century Complete.

The neighborhood entrance is expected to feature a windmill and old tractor, Von Schmidt told The Vindicator.

This development is also working on a Public Improvement District with the city; unlike Waterstones development, The Villages of Westpointe in Dayton, there will be no TIRZ overlay associated with the project.

Council will again address that PID at the Tuesday, May 10, regular city council meeting.

Finally, the council voted to approve the appointment of Liberty County Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Stephen Hebert as the city’s new substitute municipal judge. Hebert would fill in where needed in the event Municipal Judge Mike Little is not available.