OCTOBER 27, 2021 WHO’S THE BEST?
INFLATED
Nine bands compete for title of Best Local Band in Best of Northern Hays County poll.
Gas prices top $3 across the state.
– Page 8
– PAGE 2
© Barton Publications, Inc.
75¢
Hays Free Press HaysFreePress.com
More wastewater services coming to Buda BY SAHAR CHMAIS A wastewater utility service agreement was approved by Buda City Council for a 16-acre multi-family project. This project could mean more wastewater services extended throughout Buda. Approximately one year ago, the city adopted a wholesale agreement with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA) to provide properties on the east side of Buda with wastewater services. The city would act as a retail provider and GBRA would act as the wholesale provider, taking the flow to the Sunfield wastewater treatment plant. On Oct. 19, Buda City Council approved the first project under that agreement, which will provide the wastewater service to a property on the bend of FM 2001, being developed by Alliance Realty Partners LLC. This property is in the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). Buda pursued the agreement with GBRA for two reasons, said Micah Grau, deputy city manager. The first advantage, serves as an environmental benefit, by decreasing the proliferation of septic tanks, which require a lot of maintenance and can fail, leaching into the city’s water systems. The second benefit is to secure service areas on the east side of Buda. This will prevent other service providers who may not have a good reputation or proper resources to provide quality service, Grau said. The city will pay an impact fee of $246,000 to GBRA, and the developer will reimburse Buda for that payment. GBRA owns the pipes, and the city will not be in charge of maintenance. However, Buda is in charge of the metering facility. Customers will pay an ongoing service fee of $6.20 per 1,000 gallons
BUDA WASTEWATER, 10
Vol. 127 • No. 31
Serving Hays County, TX
Two mixed-use projects planned for Kyle
Want to see something really scary?
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
PHOTOS BY DAVID WHITE
Kyle couple goes all out on Halloween
BY DAVID WHITE
put everything outside. Sixteen years ago, Their Milburn and Rhonda Halloween tions to add to King built a haunted landscape their Hallowhouse at the request of features a een spread their daughter and it yard full of including became a tradition they animatronics See a sample a dragon continued every year. from aliens, of the Kings’ that shoots They are empty nest- to a headless Halloween candy from ers now, but they still horseman display here. its mouth and continue the tradition (and his every day they because they say the horse) to add someneighbors and kids real- the talking, ly seem to appreciate it. man-eating plant. They thing new. The couple planned But since the pandemhave many more anito just hand out candy ic, the Kings decided to matronics and attrac-
on Halloween, but due to the encouragement of neighbors they decided to hand out candy and bring out all the special effects both Saturday and Sunday Halloween weekend. You can drive by and visit the King's Halloween wonderland at 911 Whispering Hollow in Kyle.
Yes to the menorah and other holiday displays in Buda BY SAHAR CHMAIS
There have been recent requests from the public and residents to have additional space for diverse holiday displays, according to the city council.
Trying to fill a need to show cultural diversity, the Buda City Council last week decided that, Yes, a menorah just might fit in. And all kinds of other Street Greenbelt, would displays, if placed by keep the city in line residents on the Main
Coming Up Hocus Pocus in Buda Park Saturday
City officials are offering families Booda Halloween Movie Night in the Park.
The movie Hocus Pocus, will be showing 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Buda City Park Amphitheater. Bring your own goodies and enjoy a night out at the park cuddling up with lawn chairs, blankets and snacks.
PUBLIC NOTICES See what’s developing in your part of the county.
– PAGES 8 & 10
with the constitution. The only require-
Pumpkin Festival in Dripping Springs
Head to Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead for the last weekend of the first annual Dripping Springs Pumpkin Festival. The event is open most days from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with extended hours
ment is that residents apply for spacing through a city website before decorating for the holidays on the Greenbelt. Robyn Katz, a Buda resident, reached out to city council asking for
DIVERSE DISPLAYS, 2
until 10 p.m. on Saturday. Lots of family events – petting zoo, live music, hay maze and more.
Buda Farmers Market The Buda Farmers Market will be happening this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Buda Mill & Grain. Enjoy live music from local musicians while supporting your local vendors.
The Hays Free Press Barton Publications, Inc. The Hays Free Press (USPS 361-430) published weekly by Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. Periodicals postage paid at Buda, TX 78610 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Barton Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 339, Buda, TX 78610. ISSN#1087-9323
As Kyle continues to grow, two parcels of land that will feature mixeduse developments with residential and retail space are being planned for the city. The city council passed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Central Southwest Texas Development, LLC (CSW) for the JLL Kyle Crossing Phase II Development project. The MOU was presented by assistant city manager James Earp during the Oct. 19 council meeting. Earp said that the two parcels are part of the larger Kyle Crossing project and that there has been a “number of enhancements” to the proposal since 2019. The parcels are currently zoned as RS (retail services district), but CSW is asking that the city rezone them as MXD (mixed-use district). The northern parcel, located between FM 1626 and Marketplace Avenue, will feature 18,000 square feet of retail services, along with residential space. A 12foot pedestrian trail will connect the mixed-use retail and residential side to restaurant pad sites — including Chipotle and Black Rock Coffee — and a courtyard. A “pocket park” with an urbanized design will be deliverable within the first phase. CSW is also committed to building a $3 million pedestrian bridge in the northern parcel over the railroad tracks to allow for additional connectivity through Plum Creek, the Brick and Mortar District and the citywide trail system. The southern parcel will feature 15,000 square feet of retail space along Marketplace Avenue, 15,000 square feet of retail space along Kyle Center Loop and 15,000 square feet of live/work or retail space along Physicians Way and City Lights Drive. CSW is also donating 3.56 acres of gifted land to the city, located behind Target along Physician’s Way. They are also committed to providing 14,000 square feet of commercial space within 24 months of signing the actual agreement. Travis Sawvell, executive vice president of JLL, said that their goal is to “start turning dirt for the first phase of retail in February.” With council’s approval of the MOU, the agreement will now be taken to the Hays County Commissioners Court to discuss.