Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

At their meeting on Monday, March 8, Stephens County Commissioners approved several items, including a plat for the new Crystal Bay subdivision at Possum Kingdom Lake and a proposal by the Texas Department of Transportation to do major work on the intersection of FM 3099 and U.S. Highway 180 West.

Layne Kramer attended the meeting to explain his plans to the commissioners. The property was formerly known as Bailey’s Camp and is located on County Road 300 on the western side of the lake. Kramer, who has run the camp since 2007, will divide the property into 13 lots to be sold. Each lot will be at least a half acre in size.

The subdivision will be gated, and the roadways within the community will not be county roads, Kramer said. Additionally, the engineer who worked on the plat reviewed all of Stephens County’s new subdivision rules, he assured the commissioners.

After reviewing the plat and talking to Kramer, the commissioners approved the plan for the Crystal Bay subdivision.

FM 3099 Project

County Judge Michael Roach presented a proposal from the Texas Department of Transportation for a project to improve safety at the intersection of FM 3099 and U.S. Highway 180 West, which is in the vicinity of Walmart, Tractor Supply, 7-11 and Buckaroo Burgers.

The 0.826-mile project will include work on FM 3099 from Northglen Road, which is just less than half a mile north of U.S. Highway 180 West, to 0.2 miles south of the highway, which is approximately to CR 223. Currently, FM 3099 is disjointed, and to travel on FM 3099 across U.S. Highway 180, drivers must turn onto the highway and travel about 200 feet before turning back onto the farm road.

The item on the county commissioners’ agenda required no action, but Roach wanted to make the commissioners and the local citizens aware of the proposal and the opportunity to comment on the project.

The public may provide comments to TxDOT through March 24, 2021, as part of the environmental review process for the project. Comments may be submitted through email to Jason.Scantling@txdot.gov; by mail to 2495 U.S. Highway 183 N., Brownwood, TX 76802; or by calling 325-643-0415.

According to information from TxDOT, the proposed project involves realigning an intersection to match the northern intersection of FM 3099. That will involve work to the south of U.S. 180 on FM 3099 for approximately 0.2 miles and include less than 1.7 acres of new right of way. From just north of U.S. 180 on FM 3099, work will include rebuilding driveways, and resurfacing the roadway for approximately 0.4 miles to Northglen Road. Work on U.S. 180 will include construction for approximately 800 feet to the west of current southern intersection and 850 feet to the east of the current intersection to allow for restriping, constructing a right-turn lane, adding traffic signals, replacing culverts and adding sidewalks.

The proposed project would, subject to final design considerations, require additional right of way and potentially displace one non-residential structure. Relocation assistance is available for displaced persons and businesses. Information about the TxDOT Relocation Assistance Program and services and benefits for displaces and other affected property owners, as well as information about the tentative schedule for right-of-way acquisition and construction, can be obtained from the TxDOT district office by calling 325-643-0415.

The cost of the project is estimated at approximately $1.7 million. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring or summer of 2023.

For more details about the project, click here to visit the TxDOT project notice, including the plan layout and environmental documentation.

Other business

The county commissioners also approved the following items:

• A request to cross CR 168 to install a buried copper telephone cable
• A contract between the Stephens County Jail and Throckmorton County to house inmates, as requested by Throckmorton County
• An invoice for plumbing work done in the Stephens County Courthouse for repairs to pipes damaged during the recent winter storm
• A quote to repair a county-owned firetruck pump and line that were damaged during the recent freezing temperatures
• A proposal to advertise for bids for electric service
• A request to continue to keep the county-wide burn ban in place

Cutline, top photo: Layne Kramer, second from right, explains his proposal for a subdivision on the west side of Possum Kingdom Lake in the area formerly known as Bailey’s Camp. Looking over copies of the plat are, from left, County Judge Michael Roach and commissioners Will Warren, Eric O’Dell and David Fambro. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

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