New Braunfels | April 2025

BY JACQUELYN BURRER

Current situation

What residents need to know

Key:

100-year flood plain

The land for Comal County MUD No. 5—owned by David Burch of 306 Properties LP—was previ- ously within New Braunfels’ ETJ. In 2022, Burch proposed a development agreement, but did not move forward despite council’s approval due to an impasse over who would handle permitting and inspections, according to council agenda docu- ments from May 2022. In January 2024, Burch petitioned the city to release the property from its ETJ, according to David Ferguson, communications manager for the city of New Braunfels. Regal Land Development Owner Clint Jones said he and Burch are planning a 788-home development, with lots ranging from 60 to 120 feet wide, and approximately 200 acres designated as greenbelt space. “When [Senate Bill 2038] passed… it freed up developments to where we could form the taxing district, which is necessary to be able to offset some of the increased cost of these develop- ments,” Jones said.

Jaqua said to vote in a MUD election, eligible voters must have lived within the proposed district for at least the past 30 days. “I know that some people have been upset because they should have been able to vote for a certain MUD, but they didn’t live in the MUD in the district that’s being created,” Jaqua said. MUDs also on the ballot on May 3 are the Canyon Ranch MUD and Simmons Valley MUD. Voters for the Comal County MUD No. 5 will be asked to decide: • Directors: Elect the proposed five board directors to govern the MUD • Proposition A: Confirm the creation of Comal County MUD No. 5. • Proposition B: Authorize a maintenance and operations tax up to $1.20 per $100 valuation. • Propositions C–F: Approve up to $1.277 billion in bonds over 40 years for water and road related infrastructure and future bond refinancing

306

MUD No. 5

SOURCE: TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Comal County Commissioner Precinct 4 Jen Crownover said the new legislation has created a “helpless situation” for county residents. Jones said they are currently finalizing permits for a wastewater treatment plant capable of processing 200,000 gallons per day to serve MUD No. 5. If the district is approved, they plan to start the development in 2026. If approved, MUD No. 5 would fall under TCEQ oversight, which reviews financial reports and utility bond proposals.

Propositions C-F breakdown

1 $547.5 million to refinance water, wastewater and drainage bonds 2 $365 million for water, sewer, drainage and related infrastructure 3 $219 million to refinance road-related bonds. 4 $146 million for roads, bridges, trails and drainage

Diving deeper

safe enough for the flooding and proper wastewa- ter disposal. Jones said they have planned multiple water quality ponds to capture and treat the stormwater and have spoken with nearby residents and neigh- borhood associations to go over their plans.

The site for Comal County MUD No. 5 sits on the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and partially within the Federal Emergency Management Agency-designated 100-year flood plain. Annalisa Peace, executive director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, said the organization is concerned about both the impact of wastewater on groundwater supplies and if the infrastructure is

3 4

SOURCE: COMAL COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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