CITY & COUNTY
News from San Marcos, Kyle, Hays County & Texas
QUOTE OF NOTE
Crestwood Center to remain open
SECURING WATER AND BUSINESSES
San Marcos City Council will meet May 2 and 16 at 6 p.m. 630 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos 512-393-8000 www.sanmarcostx.gov Kyle City Council will meet May 2 and 16 at 7 p.m. 100 W. Center St., Kyle 512-262-1010 www.cityo yle.com Buda City Council will meets May 2 and 16 at 6 p.m. 405 E. Loop St., Buda 512-312-0084 www.budatx.gov Hays County Commissioners Court will meet April 25 and May 9 at 9 a.m. 111 E. San Antonio St., San MEETINGS WE COVER HIGHLIGHTS TEXAS The state has surpassed the 30 million mark in population, o cially clocking in with nearly 30.03 million residents in 2022. That number vaults Texas into California’s tier as the only two states with populations over 30 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2022 alone, Texas saw a total increase of more than 470,000 residents. From 2000 to 2022, the state grew by 9.08 million residents-the most in the nation, and almost 3 million more than Florida. From 2021 to 2022, Hays County saw a population increase of nearly 15,000 people. HAYS COUNTY Austin Pets Alive, an animal welfare organization based out of Austin, has partnered with Hays County to serve as the project coordinator and aid in the creation of a new pet resource center as of March 28. APA will be tasked with researching land options for the new facility, sta ng, establishing a fundraising board and ultimately operating the center. The facility will be around 27,000 square feet total across two buildings and an outdoor area; it will also serve as a community clinic with a subsidized spay and neuter program. “THE TWO ARRESTS WERE MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE, AS BOTH ARRESTS HAD OTHER OFFENSES UNRELATED TO MARIJUANA.” STAN STANDRIDGE, SAN MARCOS POLICE CHIEF, ON THE MARIJUANA ORDINANCE
There were nearly a dozen active businesses operating out of the Crestwood Center that were at risk of closing. Businesses at Crestwood Center: • AJ’s Ranch Road Grill • Gray Horse Saloon (closed March 18) • Iglesia Cristiana Vida Nueva • Meadows Insurance Agency • The Pita Shop • Peachy Clean/Cabana Clean • Shaolin-Do School of Martial Arts
BY ZARA FLORES
services to their respective prop- erties,” according to a March 24 letter from Greg Carr, the director of neighborhood enhancement for the city of San Marcos. Crestwood Center property man- ager Christian Umstattd previously con rmed with Community Impact that the center needed to raise $200,000 by March 31 to connect to the city’s sewer system. “The parties... assure the city of San Marcos that construction on the project will begin soon,” the letter read. “Provided that the property owners continue to maintain the status quo by su ciently disposing of their wastewater in the manner currently in use, then the city of San Marcos will continue to supply water to the properties.”
SAN MARCOS With just a week left until the water was set to be shut o at the Crestwood Center—meaning the closure of several local businesses— funding has been secured to keep them open for the foreseeable future. The entire mall, located on Old RR 12, San Marcos, was at risk of having its water shut o by the city as it ran o a septic system for waste- water that was out of compliance and posed risks to the community, according to city documents. The Crestwood Center property owners James and Thomas Umstattd, as well as the adjacent property’s owner Tom Holman, “have reached an agreement to provide the necessary funding for the wastewater extension project that will provide wastewater
• Steger’s Chi onade • Studio San Martian • Three Six General
COUNTRY ESTATES DR.
12
CRADDOCK AVE.
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SOURCE: CITY OF SAN MARCOS COMMUNITY IMPACT
Plans for Limestone Creek to displace homes in Quail Ridge
CONFLICTING STATUTES Despite more than 80% voter approval of the ordinance to end low-level marijuana enforcement, there are legalities standing in the way of enforcing it.
The memorandum states: • If marijuana is seized and is the only drug found, the individual will be released. • Individuals will only be charged or cited if other drugs are found.
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
containing lot numbers and tax IDs, Morris’ home is one of the residences impacted, as con rmed through the Hays County Central Appraisal District website. As of April 5, the city had not yet contacted him to let him know that his house will be seized. “I haven’t heard anything,” Morris said. “They’re going to pay out the nose.” Justin Belmore, vice president of land acqui- sition with Meritage, said they will meet with the city in April to discuss the alignment and design for Goforth Road.
81.84% approved
KYLE The residents of six homes in the Quail Ridge subdivision are set to be displaced by a new development called Limestone Creek after an amendment to the existing development agreement was approved. The Kyle City Council approved the amendment March 7 and established a tax increment reinvest- ment zone with Meritage Homes of Texas LLC. The homes will be acquired to make way for a new road within the development. Residents who will be displaced may be eligible for relocation assistance and bene ts, including moving costs, replacement housing payments or pur- chase supplement, accord- ing to agenda documents. One resident a ected is Stan Morris, who has lived in his home for 30 years. Based on city documents
SOURCES: SAN MARCOS POLICE DEPARTMENT, TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE COMMUNITY IMPACT
Police chief clari es policy post marijuana ordinance approval
BY ZARA FLORES
SAN MARCOS Arrests and charges of individuals accused of marijuana possession are still occurring, though those few arrests were based on other enhanced charges, according to an update provided by police Chief Stan Standridge on March 7. This comes after an ordinance was passed to end low-level marijuana enforcement last November with more than 80% voter approval. Standridge said the ordinance to adopt a policy regulating enforcement is pursuant to the law. However, Section 370.003 of Title 11 of the Texas Local Government Code directly conicts, stating an entity “may not adopt a policy under which the entity will not fully enforce laws relating to drugs.” Two arrests were made from Nov. 17 to Feb. 28. One individual charged with marijuana possession was also charged with manufacture/delivery of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl or ketamine, which the ordinance allows, Standridge said.
LIMESTONE CREEK
35
150
QUAIL RIDGE DR.
Marcos. 512-393-2205. www.hayscountytx.com
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SAN MARCOS BUDA KYLE EDITION • APRIL 2023
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