By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
After several minutes of deliberation on fire hydrants and the minimum inches required to install a line for residential development, an existing ordinance was cited to San Benito commissioners to assist in their decision.
Elected leaders unanimously approved a variance at their Nov. 4 regular meeting to permit the installation of a six-inch water line for a proposed 10.60-acre subdivision within the city limits.
Nine lots are being proposed for development on Schneider Road, City of San Benito Planning Manager Monica Rodriguez said at the meeting.
The applicant is Emiliano Rosel.
The lack of fire hydrants to serve those future homes was a point of contention for Commissioner Pedro A. Galvan.
A fire hydrant required an eight-inch line, per a San Benito ordinance.
The San Benito Planning and Zoning Board had unanimously approved the item, which is why it went before commissioners for final approval.
Commissioners were told that Fire Marshal Jorge A. Mata, Jr. did approve the hydrant issue through his comment at the P&Z Board meeting, but he did not sign any document.
“He had no issues due to it being a nine-lot subdivision,” Rodriguez said.
There are already manufactured homes south of the proposed subdivision, she said during the meeting.
Rodriguez said that once the property is subdivided, one of the requirements developers will be tasked with is installing fire hydrants.
Enrique Hernandez, assistant director of San Benito Administration Services, said the developer would be required to install fire hydrants within 500 feet of the existing lines.
He stated that a San Benito ordinance mandates a 10-inch line for commercial developments and an eight-inch line for residential areas.
Schreiber Consulting, the City of San Benito’s engineer, also approved the matter.
New development, whether residential or commercial, has surged this year across the city, resulting in the installation of new water lines and, in some cases, additional fire hydrants.
Subdivisions include San Sebastian and Veterans Crossing, among others. Commercial properties include Stripes, Chick-fil-A, and Resaca Village.
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