Development
BY JARRETT WHITENER
Years in the making: Boerne Buc-ee’s continues development
Boerne navigates planned growth amid resident concerns The city of Boerne is a developing community, bringing in new residential and retail partners as the city continues to grow. The overview While there has been a call from some residents to halt building in the city, Planning Director Nathan Crane said it is not possible since the city does not face challenges that would trigger the need for a moratorium. Despite not having the ability to prevent growth, the city does have access to different tools that allow for the control of specific growth. Crane said tools like the Comprehensive Master Plan, Unified Development Code and other agree- ments with developers help the city become part of the planning process and regulate development.
Ranch transforms into luxury community A new residential development is being constructed on a historic ranch. The gist George’s Ranch is a multi-phase project spanning over 1,140 acres on the former land of George Wilkins Kendall. Upon completion, the development will feature 775 homesites at 1 acre or larger with lots ranging from $900,000 to over $2 million. The first home will be completed this summer, and the project will take a total of 15-20 years to complete.
Neighborhood residential: 40.1% Rural Estate: 33.3% Transitional: 7.4% Auto-oriented commercial: 7.3% Parks and open space: 4.8% Public and institutional: 2.2% Neighborhood commercial: 2.1% Business/Office Park: 2% Downtown: 1% Land use from 2018-28
As work on a Buc-ee’s location coming to the Boerne area continues to crawl forward, the project draws closer to being a reality. While there has been movement at the site, located at the end of U.S. 87 off I-10, the develop- ment only has a grading permit and will require further building permits and design approval before the store can go vertical, Boerne Communi- cations Director Chris Shadrock said. The 53,000 square foot store will bring over 150 jobs to Boerne, alongside gas pumps, food and
revenue for the city. Boerne focuses on businesses that create jobs and create a pathway for young people who leave to come back and raise a family in the community, Story said. “We really see ourselves as a community that attracts smaller projects,” she said. The debate Some residents are voicing concerns regarding the new store, starting a Change.org petition about the development. As of April 17, the online petition had 1,212 verified signatures, with some of the primary concerns listed in the petition being water use and the impact the business would have on the nearby neighborhoods. Shadrock said the permitting process for gas pumps is through the Texas Department of Licens- ing and Regulation.
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merchandise. The approach
SOURCE: CITY OF BOERNE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
In 2016, the city and county entered an eco- nomic development agreement to give Buc-ee’s a 20-year rebate of half their respective shares of sales taxes generated by the store. “[Buc-ee’s] will be an extremely high sales tax generator, which allows the city to continue to add to quality of life,” Story said.
Throughout the city, there are 29 multifamily developments, either completed or under con- struction. Between these developments 2,352 units are constructed and 830 units are entitled or under construction, Crane said.
Amy Story, president and CEO of Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corporation, said I-10 is one of the primary development areas for the city of Boerne. Story said one of the goals of the EDC is to attract businesses that can help diversify tax
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BOERNE 1313 S Main St (830) 249-0115
DOMINION 24603 I-10 (210) 310-3200
VINEYARD 1309 N Loop 1604 W (210) 408-8206
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