Commissioners Deny Zoning Change Request for Solar Project

Read Time:2 Minute, 31 Second

By Mark Archibald

Navarro County Commissioners denied a zoning district change within 5,000-foot of Richland Chambers Lake, by a vote of 4-1, during Monday’s regular meeting of Commissioners Court.

The vote followed extensive public comment which was split among individuals who approved of the zoning change for the proposed solar project.
While some were in favor of the zoning change and project highlighting the tax money generated and the benefits to Kerens ISD which was estimated to be in excess of $20 million over the life of the project.

The zoning change requested by Sonny Bancroft and Orca Falls Solar, LLC.

The item was tabled during the previous meeting of the Commissioners Court.

Bancroft asked for the change, but part of the area falls within 5000-foot of Richland Chambers Lake which is one of a handful in Texas protected by zoning regulations.

Commissioners also approved January’s tax collection report at Monday’s regular meeting.

Navarro County Tax Assessor, Collector, Mike Dowd reported the county has brought in nearly $18.1 million in revenue so far this year.

That is approximately $2 million less than last year at this time. Dowd said the county recently sent out tax statements and expects greater revenue for the county next month.

Citing the dry conditions and lack of rain in the forecast, Navarro County Commissioners took no action on the burn ban which remains in effect.

Commissioners also accepted waivers in lieu of the 2025 racial profiling reports for Navarro County Constables in Pct’s 2, 3 and 4.

No incidents of racial profiling were reported in Pct. 1 as part of the Constables’ assistance during routine traffic stops.

The action is to accept the waivers is routine because traffic stops do not usually fall in within the normal duties of Constables.

An agreement between Texoma HIDTA and Choctaw Conference Center was approved for yearly board meeting.

Navarro acts as a bookkeeper for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force.

The Court also approved a Final plat of Prairie Land Addition for Triple Ridge Investments, LLC. The development in Pct. 2 has deed restrictions and meets all state and local regulations.

A final plat of Double D Acres for Dawn Dodds in Pct. 3 was approved contingent on agreement of deed restrictions.

A request by Chatfield Water Supply Corporation to cross NE CR 1030 for a standard road bore, was approved in Pct. 1.

The Court approved a request by Commissioner Eddie Perry to purchase a 2024 Dodge 5500 Truck for Pct. 2.

A Utility Easement was approved for Mastec Lyte Fiber, LLC, on SW CR 0040, SW CR 2130, and SW CR 2150 in Pct. 3.

The project is part of an ongoing state initiative to improve high speed internet access in rural Texas Counties.

The Navarro County Commissioners’ Court meets regularly at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month in the Navarro County Courthouse, located at 300 W. Third Ave. in Corsicana.