New Braunfels Edition | November 2024

Government

BY SHAHERYAR KHAN & JARRETT WHITENER

Ban imposed on the following:

Comal County disaster declaration issued Comal County declared a state of local disaster Oct. 21, citing extreme wildfire risks from drought conditions, high winds and low humidity. The details Comal County Judge Sherman Krause signed the disaster declaration Oct. 21 after the county’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index reaching 709, signaling critical fire risk. According to the disaster declaration, it imposes bans on open-flame cooking, welding and other activities that might spark a wildfire. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is used to determine forest fire potential, and ranges from 0-800, with 800 being the greatest risk. What they’re saying Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Kelley said the disaster declaration indicates the

Guadalupe County now under burn ban Burning is prohibited in unincorporated areas of Guadalupe County starting Oct. 2. The Guadalupe County Commissioner’s Court approved the ordinance during the Oct. 1 meeting. The ordinance will be effective through Dec. 31 , or when the order is rescinded. Patrick Pinder, Guadalupe County emergency management coordinator and fire marshal, said current conditions are too dangerous to allow burning. What you need to know For residents, household trash and domes- tic waste can be burned in an above-ground enclosure if the operations are in compliance with specific requirements which include notifying the Guadalupe County fire marshal or Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office.

Outdoor welding

Explosives

Open-flame cooking without proper safety measures

SOURCE: COMAL COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

seriousness of the drought. “We [already] have a burn ban in place and the extreme conditions have to be taken seriously,” Kel- ley said in the release. “There is no relief in sight.” What’s next? The disaster declaration will remain in effect for seven days, with the possibility of extension by the Comal County Commissioners Court on Oct. 24 for up to 30 days. Residents are urged to follow the safety restric- tions and can apply for hot work permits on the Fire Marshal’s webpage.

Paid parking mulled for River Acres, Cypress Bend

Existing parking

RIVER ACRES PARK

and watershed manager for the city. Currently, the park charges $20 per space on weekends and holidays from May 1 to Labor Day. Cypress Bend Park currently has no paid park- ing, but nonresident usage is high—82% of visitors being nonresidents, Niles said. The estimated annual revenue from paid parking could range from $103,000 to $126,000, Niles said.

New Braunfels is exploring options to expand paid parking at River Acres and Cypress Bend parks to balance resident access, manage nonresident usage and generate revenue for park maintenance. The details The proposal suggests expanding paid parking at River Acres Park to seven days a week from March through September, said Amy Niles, river

CYPRESS BEND PARK

337

JESSE GUERRERO CIR.

SUMMERWOOD DR.

N

Downtown 266 Landa Street, Ste. 110 North River Chase 6442 FM 306, Ste. 1103

Serving our community since 1976

Call or text for an appointment! 830-625-5716

www.landaeyecenter.com

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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION

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