In 2010, the developers acquired a 14 acre land tract along Barker Cypress Road in Northwest Harris County. An existing Municipal Utility District provided the utility service. But as a condition to connecting the district’s facilities, the developers were required to extend a 12-inch public waterline from the street ROW to an existing public waterline located along the rear property line of the tract. ALJ Lindsey negotiated with the City of Houston Public Works Department and the MUD to broker an agreement that allowed pavement to be placed over a majority of the easement area. The variance to the standard City of Houston regulations saved the developers considerable cost and greatly increased their return on the project.