News-Dispatch 071918 by Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch

Tigers’ McCarthy Top Coach

Trustee seat draws 20 applicants

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Zoning changes to cohere

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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVIII No. 40

Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982

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75¢ Thursday, July 19, 2018

Contested case called for controversial pumping permit BY MOSES LEOS III

Further discussion on a Houston-based firm’s request for nearly one billion gallons of Middle Trinity aquifer groundwater is heading into the court system. On July 12, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) board of directors unanimously approved for the State Office PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III of Administrative Hearings Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District Board members (L-R) Blake Dorsett, (SOAH) to hold a contestMary Stone and President Blayne Stansberry listen to a comment from a resident opposing ed case hearing for Electro Purification’s water permit Electro Purification’s proposed groundwater production permit during a July 12 meeting.

Electro Purification, a Houston-based company, seeks to pump 912.5 million gallons of water from its test wells in western Hays County for wholesale water consumption.

request. EP seeks to pump 912.5 million gallons of water from its test wells in western Hays County for wholesale water consumption. Ed McCarthy, an attorney representing EP, said the firm’s sole contract is with the Goforth

Driftwood tees up for possible golf course, club, and mixed use development

Special Utility District. McCarthy said Goforth “would like more water than we have available.” Bill Dugat, legal counsel for BSEACD, said EP filed a July 5 request to have the permit referred

PUMPING PERMIT, 2

Third Hays County resident in ICE detention BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF DISCOVERY LAND COMPANY

A 500-acre development, complete with a full 18-hole golf course, along with retail and residential components, is in store for land northwest and southeast of the FM 1826 and FM 967 intersection in the Driftwood area.

BY EXSAR ARGUELLO A 500-acre development that includes a full 18-hole golf course could soon be coming to the rolling hills of Driftwood. On July 10, the Dripping Springs City Council approved phase one of the site development plan for Discovery Land Company’s planned golf course. The development

spans the Ranch Road 1826 and FM 967 intersection to the southeast and northwest. In addition to the golf course, Discovery Land Co., a development company that specializes in luxury private club communities both nationally and internationally, plans on the development to have a mixture of residential

and retail components. The property will also coaexist with the Driftwood Project, a massive development overseen by Salt Lick BBQ owner Scott Roberts. “The Driftwood community is very important to us and we are keeping Roberts’ dream alive,” said Don Bosse, vice president for planning and entitlements at

Discovery Land Company. “We will have roughly 124 housing units and no higher than 17 percent impervious cover.” Although the site development plan for the golf course was approved by council, the development is still in its preliminary stages. The approval of the site development plan will allow Discovery to begin

shaping the golf course. The city will provide water through the West Travis County Public Utility Agency, which already provides water to parts of the area. Wastewater will be treated by the city, contingent on how quickly permits are issued for its treatment system expansion.

GOLF COURSE, 6

Dripping Springs inks zoning change for city’s first tattoo parlor BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

kind in Dripping Springs. Hill Country Arts will Over the course of a be the only operation30-year career in tatal tattoo parlor within tooing, Roberto Berrios Dripping Springs city thought he’d seen it all. limits. -However, the loss of Berrios said tattoos his possessions following are not a taboo art style Hurricane Irma in 2017 in the Dripping Springs meant a drastic change community and he in plans. Making a move wants his clients to have from Florida, he decided the ability to express to make his next stop in themselves through his Dripping Springs. art. But the change didn’t “Hays County is a halt Berrios’ hopes and progressive place and dreams of opening a the growth is bringing tattoo parlor. With the people from all differhelp from the Dripping ent backgrounds and Springs City Council and walks of life,” said Josh the local community, Storm, the owner of Berrios’ dreams became Storm Ranch in Dripping reality July 10. Springs. “Mr. Berrios is a Berrios’ business, Hill good artist, a good indiCountry Arts, will be the vidual and a member of only tattoo parlor of its this community who will

serve this community.” But the approval of the tattoo parlor did not come without its discussion at council; a zoning change had to be made to allow the business to open.

The tract of land, which was originally zoned as half commercial services and half manufactured housing, caused some confusion

TATTOO PARLOR, 6

For the third time in roughly six months, a Hays County resident in custody has been turned over to federal authorities, prompting public outcry for their release. The latest protest took place July 13 at the Hays County Jail in San Marcos in support of Janelie Rodriguez, who is currently detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. On Oct. 29, 2017, Rodriguez, 25, an undocumented Hays County resident, was arrested in Buda for allegedly biting a police officer after her parents called for a mental check on their daughter. After she was placed in Hays County custody, a series of events eventually led her into ICE custody. Rodriguez suffers from psychosis, a mental disability in which a person’s thoughts and perceptions are disrupted to the degree that they cannot tell what is real and what is not. On July 11, District Judge Bill Henry dropped her felony charges to a misdemeanor after a mental health evaluation was considered for her case. “The judge gave her time for the misdemeanor, which was a 170-day sentence,” said Karen Munoz, co-founder of immigrant activist group Mano Amiga. “She was held for 176 days, six days past her sentence time because she had an ICE hold on her name.” Rodriguez is currently being processed to be sent to the South Texas Detention Center where her fate is unknown. Among the crowd of protesters was Jeannette Rodriguez, Janelie’s mother, who aimed to spread the word about what has happened to her daughter. “When Jenelie was in jail, she saw people on the news fighting for immigrants and their release and she wanted that to happen for her,” her mother said. “It’s helping her dreams come true by fighting for her.” Under Texas Senate Bill (SB) 4, which became law in September 2017, law enforcement cannot prolong a stop on the suspicion of immigration status. However, local law enforcement is forced to cooperate with ICE during

ICE DETENTION, 5

Page 2

News-Dispatch

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PRODUCTION David White

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PHOTOGRAPHER Wayland Clark PROOFREADER Jane Kirkham CIRCULATION MANAGER/ LEGAL NOTICES David White paper@ haysnewsdispatch.com

News-Dispatch (USPS 011 - 401) is published weekly except for the weeks following July 4 and Christmas by Barton Publications, Inc., 113 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640. Subscription price: $42 local, $59 county, $62 out of state. Periodicals Postage paid at Driftwood, TX. Email paper@ haysnewsdispatch. com for subscriptions and address changes. POSTMASTER: send address changes to News-Dispatch, PO Box 339, Buda, TX 78610

LETTERS GUIDELINES We welcome locally written letters to the editor on timely topics of community interest. We ask that you keep them to about 350 words in length and that you not indulge in personal attacks on private individuals. Letters may be edited for brevity and clarity. All letters should be signed by the author and include a daytime phone number where the author can be contacted for verification. Letter writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters can be emailed to csb@ haysfreepress.com.

Texas named a top LAGNIAPPE Burn ban reinstated state for start-ups BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

Access to resources and lower business costs are factors that rank Texas as one of the best states in which to start a business, according to a study conducted by WalletHub. The study found Texas is one of the top states with the highest average growth in the number of small businesses, offering a strong jumping-off point for start-ups and entrepreneurs ready to invest in the Lone Star State. Julie Snyder, CEO for the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce, said she credits a lot of Texas’ business success to an affordable cost of living, low labor costs and underdeveloped areas as factors for getting a new business in place. Snyder, who lived in California for more than a decade, said Texas does not have a state income tax, which in other states, like California, can hinder the ability to start a small business. “Overall, Texas is a more affordable state to come and set up a business,” Snyder said. “Our state legislature also likes to operate with a pro-business attitude, so there are less regulations here. And with all the growth in central Texas, this is a prime time to come and invest.” For Kyle business owner Ammie Wright, the rigors of starting up a business were eased by limited city and state regulations. However, Wright said all entrepreneurs should conduct their own research before making the jump into starting a business. That includes researching any laws or ordinances that businesses must follow. “When you are ready to open your business, be sure you are communicating with the city govern-

(1=Best; 25=Avg.):

4th – Avg. Growth in Number of Small Businesses  12th – Office-Space Affordability  29th – Labor Costs 27th – Availability of Human Capital  4th – Avg. Length of Work Week (in Hours) 11th – Cost of Living  13th – Industry Variety

ment for what you can and cannot do based on their ordinances,” Wright said. “I wasn’t aware of the restrictions businesses have with their signs, so I had to work around that. To make it easier on yourself, just be educated on your city’s laws.” Wright said he chose to open a business that provides a service he believed the community needed. “I moved to Kyle to start my business because of the growth and I really wanted to plug my products in a community that is being developed,” Wright said. “I’ve been here for a year and a half now, and the main goal was to integrate myself with the people of Kyle.” However, Wright said trying to stand out is a key component. “Texas is great if you’re small and just starting out but it’s also a competitive area, so the goal is to try and stick out,” Wright said. Texas’ commercial attractiveness is also catching the eye of larger entities, which have helped boost new job growth not only locally, but also throughout Hays County. Factors contributing to new job growth is a low cost of living, lower

tax rates, as well as the opportunity for commercial entities to obtain business incentives. In April, the city of Kyle broke ground on the Hays Logistics Center, a new 108-acre mixed-use commerce center. Late last month, Los Angeles-based Majestic Realty Company announced it was planning to invest $40 million into a 12-acre business park in the city. Those developments would not have been possible without the triple-freeport tax exemption offered by the city, county and school district. The exemptions allow companies to forgo paying an inventory tax on qualified freeport goods that leave Texas within a 175-day period. The diverse pool of incentives offered for businesses allows largescale operations and small mom and pops to operate in the same space. “Kyle has a lot of advantages that other places in the country don’t have,” Snyder said. “This area has a lot of potential for growth and with new families coming in, there is an abundance of space and resources to set up great businesses in the city.”

Sunday Worship

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to the SOAH, which will offer a recommendation to BSEACD for judgement. Dugat said the district has the ultimate say on the permit, and can choose to follow or modify SOAH’s recommendation. A date and time for the hearing has not been set. Dugat said the district will work with EP and SOAH to solidify a contract for the hearing and determine cost estimates. EP will pay for the contested hearing costs. Dugat estimated SOAH could hold a hearing six to eight weeks after a contract is finalized. Ed McCarthy, an attorney representing EP, said the firm expected a contested case hearing and sought for the case to be referred to SOAH. Twelve requests for a contested case hearing were submitted to the BSEACD, Dugat said. The requests were submitted after EP placed a June 5 and June 26 public notice in local publications seeking public input for its permit. That includes

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Farmers Market returns to Dripping Springs

On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Weekly Headwaters Farmer’s Market will offer live music, games and most of all fresh produce from area farmers. The event will take place at 708 Headwaters Blvd. in Dripping Springs.

Finding Dory at Kyle Pool

Get ready to make a splash Friday when the Kyle Parks and Recreations Department hosts its annual “Dive-In” movie at the pool, featuring the film “Finding Dory.” While the movie is free, space is limited to the first 230 guests. Pool staff will start handing out free tickets at 7 p.m., with gates opening at 8 p.m. More information can be found at cityofkyle.com/recreation/poolschedule.

Dinosaur George returns to the Wimberley library

Children and adults of all ages will get bad to the bone when Dinosaur George stomps into the Wimberley Village Library July 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The show offers a focus on dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, including a look at fossils.

Continued from pg. 1

Sunday Morning Wednesday Meal

Cowboys and cowgirls from across the area will descend on Dripping Springs for the 7th annual Dripping Springs Fair and Rodeo at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The event, which runs July 27-29, is hosted by the Dripping Springs Ag Boosters and the city of Dripping Springs. Patrons can take in Friday and Saturday’s Cowboy’s Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) event, which features bull and bronco riding, barrel racing and mutton busting. Ticket information can be found at dsfairandrodeo.com.

Pumping Permit: Contested case hearing approved

Sunset Canyon Baptist Church 5:45 PM

Rodeo moseys back into Dripping Springs

To view the full report, visit https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-start-abusiness/36934/

a contested hearing request submitted in June by Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell. On July 10, Hays County Commissioners approved a resolution ratifying support for Shell’s letter for a hearing on the permit. Just over 300 comments regarding the permit were also submitted to BSEACD officials. “It wouldn’t surprise me to hear of a hearing in September,” Dugat said. “There will not be any foot dragging.” Prior to a decision, area residents spent close to an hour relaying concerns, and at times frustrations, to BSEACD leaders of possible impacts EP’s permit could have. Wimberley resident Patrick Cox, who also represented the Our Water Rights Alliance, said the group has collected over 3,200 signatures and counting protesting EP’s proposed permit. Cox said BSEACD’s draft permit has insufficient data and that more

study and analysis is needed, primarily on the impact it could have on the Trinity Aquifer. Cox said the permit “threatens our water quality and quantity” and that it was “impossible” for the EP’s permit to harmonize with the BSEACD’s board mission of conservation. Cox said EP must justify the need for “this unprecedented volume of water they want to mine and ship out of the area.” “I think we’ve all demonstrated tonight, scientifically, through historic usage, and just the ethics, this permit request is way beyond anything that is rational or should be accepted,” Cox said. Ashley Waymouth, a representative with the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, estimated EP’s request for 2.5 million gallons of water per day would fill almost four Olympic-sized swimming pools. Waymouth said the WVWA is concerned that EP’s permit could impact natural features such as

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8:45 AM

Starting Friday, July 20, residents in the unincorporated areas of Hays County will be back under a burn ban following a decision from county commissioners Tuesday. County officials urge those who seek to conduct outdoor burning to do so in a safe manner prior to Friday. During a burn ban, outdoor grills with lids can be used, but burn barrels and other outdoor fires are prohibited.

How does Texas stack up?

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Jacob’s Well and Blue Hole for future generations. Joe Day, a Wimberley resident who lives near EP’s test wells, said for the “first time in history,” a company is looking to obtain water with no land ownership or certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) required for a public water supply. Day also felt the permit process is incomplete, and believed the district should have a longer-term model for possible drawdown of nearby wells. Day said EP’s permit should be tied to the land and follow existing groundwater models. Concern over EP’s permit is “nothing new that we haven’t heard before,” McCarthy said. McCarthy said EP is “sorry people are afraid” and that EP has done “a lot of science and invest-

ed a lot.” EP has done two pump tests on the property, with its hydrogeologists conducting pump tests on other properties, McCarthy said. “Based upon the science we have available, we are very confident there will not be a problem,” McCarthy said. EP is also planning to work with BSEACD on its recommendation to phase pumping levels, per the district’s draft permit. “We don’t think, one, there will be a problem long-term with production, and to the extent if we’re wrong, we’ll see it early and see it at a time when the district can control and regulate it,” McCarthy said. “The district is doing it’s job, we think. We don’t think there is going to be a problem.”

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Top Coach

www.HaysNewsDispatch.com

Page 3

Sports

PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III

On July 9, Dripping Springs High swimming and diving coach Andrea McCarthy was awarded the 2018 Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) Class 5A-6A coach of the year during an awards banquet in Arlington. McCarthy was tabbed for the honor following the Tiger girls swimming team’s 5A state championship won in February. McCarthy oversaw a team that edged out Humble Kingwood Park 199-185.

Tigers finish fourth in Lone Star Cup standings PHOTO BY XXXXX

Cutline goes here cutline goes here Cutline goes here cutline goes here Cutline goes here cutline goes here Cutline goes here cutline goes here

Out of bounds

Golfers scramble to Kyle after San Marcos course closes BY CARLIE PORTERFIELD

tember. “If people in the area With Quail Creek Golf want to play a round of Club’s sudden closing in golf at a great course, June, golfers in San Marwe’re just 10 minutes up cos must look elsewhere the road,” Farris said. to hit the links until a new Farris said it would course opens this fall. not surprise him if Quail Quail Creek gave only a Creek were sold. week’s advance notice of “I can only guess their closing. A message with fear of Kissing Tree on the club’s Facebook opening up, land may page said, “Thank you to have been more valuable all our loyal guests and to develop than as a golf staff over the years. We course,” he said. have appreciated your Hays High golf coach support.” Danny Preuss, who has Since Quail Creek coached in the district for opened in the late 1960s, about 25 years, said he the club has been a meet- has fond memories of the ing place for the commu- course. nity. Children of San Mar“I’m sad to cos took swimming, golf hear Quail Creek is closand tennis lessons there, ing. That used to be the and the clubhouse hosted only golf course we had, meetings and events for and we used to bus kids local groups. over there for practice,” Management was not Preuss said. available for comment, But Quail Creek closing but former members say its doors is not a signal the club is closing so the that the sport is less populand can be sold. Accordlar these days, he said. ing to the Hays County “I don’t think the popuAppraisal District, the larity of golf in the area is land on which Quail Creek declining,” he said. “I have was located on was deter- more and more golfers mined in 2018 to be worth coming in every year.” $1,040,850. Overall, golf is still up Golfers left without a and coming in this area, course will travel to Plum he said. As long as a new Creek Golf Course in Kyle, course opens, there will the nearest course to San be plenty of room for golfMarcos for the time being. ers in Hays County. Club Manager Marc Farris “With the new course said they are expecting to in San Marcos, the one in see more players from San Plum Creek and the ones Marcos until a new course in Austin we have access at the Kissing Tree senior to, golf is doing well,” center opens in mid-Sep- Preuss said.

STAFF REPORT Following the last update to the 201718 UIL Lone Star Cup standings that included baseball and softball, Dripping Springs High was tied for fourth in the 5A rankings with 76 points. Dripping Springs finished in a tie with Aledo High, which also finished with 76 points. The top 5A schools were Prosper High (102), Highland Park High School (83), and Humble Kingwood High School (81). Lone Star Cup points are awarded based on team performance in district and state championships. The winning schools in each classification will receive the UIL Lone Star Cup trophy and a $1,000 scholarship. All events have been tallied for the current year, including state and area marching band, tennis, team tennis, cross country, volleyball, football, swimming and diving, wrestling, girls basketball, soccer, golf, track and field, academics, one-act play, softball and baseball. The standings became official earlier this month.

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News-Dispatch

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Education Open trustee seat draws 20 applications STAFF REPORT Twenty people have thrown their hats into the ring for an open Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees seat, setting the stage for a decision by district leaders in August. According to a DSISD press release, applicants will be reviewed and interviewed by current trustees over the next

COURTESY PHOTO

month. A new member will be appointed by majority vote of current trustees during its Aug. 20 board meeting. The person selected to the seat will join the dais Aug. 27 and will serve until the term expires in May 2019. The vacancy was created when former trustee Shelly Reeves stepped down from the dais in June due to a health issue.

“Turbo Tigers” Land Rover 4x4 Team (left to right) consists of Colton Rhodes, Dylan Rice, Alfredo Salazar, Cole Scott, Jason Fitzpatrick, and Bryce Fitzpatrick.

Turbo Tigers place first in Schools Technology Challenge STAFF REPORT In June, two teams of Dripping Springs High School students competed in engineering-related competitions. At the Land Rover 4x4 in Schools Technology Challenge, the “Turbo Tigers” placed first and have qualified for international competition for the second consecutive year. The team was honored for Best Engineered Vehicle. Best Track Performance, Best Trailer Performance, Verbal Presentation Award, Innovative Thinking Award, Portfolio & Pit Display Award, and Research & Development Award. The challenge involves between three and six team members working together to design and build a radio controlled four-wheel drive (4x4) vehicle, to set

Applications were received from: Sharon Armke Lori Broughton Jennifer Buass Kim Cousins Joanna Day Peter Englehart Jenny Evans Brent Gibbs John Gomez Lindsay Fredenburg

Marisa Grijalva Andrew Hutton Josie Kelly Kara Mayfield Jerod Patterson Teresa Carbajal Ravet Rob Satterfield David Shanley Dan Sparks Travis Weitzel

For all the latest news in Buda, Kyle and surrounding communities...

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F1 in Schools Team (left to right) consists of Ken Gossett, Elliot Turner, Cade Nowicki, Aubrie Caldwell and Varun Varma.

specifications. The vehicle must be able to successfully negotiate a specially designed test track emulating real life and it must perform as a full-scale 4x4 vehicle would do in an offroad situation.

Also competing was the F1 In Schools Team at the regional championships. DSHS won the “Pit Display Award,” but final results have not been posted. In the F1 in Schools Challenge, students use soft-

ware to collaborate, design, analyze, manufacture, test, and race miniature compressed air-powered balsa wood F1 cars. Both competitions were held at the Circuit of the Americas.

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BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

electricity.” For businesses and As the dog days of sum- entrepreneurs, finding mer approach, energy a state with relatively costs are expected to rise, low energy costs could especially in potentially hot, dry Texas. help alleviate Despite With energy overhead, said Texas being consuming Julie Snyder, anywhere CEO for the ranked 20th between five Kyle Area for energy to 22 percent Chamber of of a houseconsumption, Commerce. hold income, Snyder, a the Lone utility cost is Sacramento, a factor many Calif. transStar State Americans plant, said she has relatively regularly saw must take into account when energy low costs for high budgeting prices in the electricity their finances. Golden State. Despite “Enerand fuel, Texas being gy costs in most of ranked 20th California, for energy fuel, which can be especially consumpis a lot of highcredited to tion, the Lone er compared Star State Texas. The cheap prices to has relatively citizens of in natural gas California also low costs for electricity and have longer fuel, most of which can be daily commutes and highcredited to cheap prices er fuel costs, which can in natural gas, according only adds to the cost of to a study from Walliving,” Snyder said. letHub. When a business can According to the study, save on expenses like Texans, on average, spend energy, it can generally be around $130 a month a plus for their employon electricity and $18 a ees and overall costs, she month on natural gas, said. some of the lowest in the On average, Texans country. spend around $140 a Wallethub compared month on gas, below the the country’s energy costs nation average. Residents based on a special formu- of states like Wyoming la, said Diana Polk, comcan spend up to $220 a munications manager at month for transportation. Wallethub. The study took “The natural gas prices into account electricity, make for a very unique natural gas, motor fuel situation for Texans,” and home heating oil. Thompson said. “For a “Low natural gas prices business owner, labor is really drive everything going to be your main in the state,” said David cost right in front of enThompson, vice president ergy, depending on what of marketing for Pederna- kind of service you have. les Electric Cooperative And with new sources of (PEC). “The energy you natural gas being found, are getting is coming from Texas will continue to a plant burning that natprovide that service to its ural gas and with prices consumers, which in turn at historic lows, you can means lower electrical expect a lower cost of costs.”

ENERGY CONSUMPTION & COSTS IN TEXAS (1=Most Expensive; 25=Avg.):

Avg. Monthly Energy Bill: $310

38th – Price of Electricity 8th – Electricity Consumption per Consumer 15th – Price of Natural Gas 40th – Natural-Gas Consumption per Consumer 40th – Price of Motor Fuel 12th – Motor-Fuel Consumption per Driver

ICE Detention Continued from pg. 1

the entities’ investigations. Rodriguez’ case marks the third high-profile incident involving an undocumented Hays County resident being placed into ICE custody. In January, Victor Avendano-Ramirez was arrested by Kyle Police following a traffic stop for two outstanding misdemeanor warrants. Avendano-Ramirez was then handed over to ICE officials before he was released in March. In February, Hays County authorities arrested Wimberley resident Maria Garcia for an assault family violence charge. Garcia

was turned over to ICE custody before she was released in late March. “I know Senate Bill 4 puts (law enforcement) in a hard position, but the easiest thing to do was to release her from jail after her sentence was done,” Munoz said. “The judge and the attorney did what they could. ICE keeps getting worse and worse every single day and we are going to continue this fight.” The Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch reached out to Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler for comment. Cutler did not respond before press time.

Page 6

News-Dispatch

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Dripping Springs strives to make property zoning and development codes cohesive BY EXSAR ARGUELLO

better understand how the residents see the As the city of Dripping city’s growth, targeting Springs continues to ways to meet that growth grow, the need to proper- while staying cognizant of ly zone property cohesive needs of the community. with its land developCommercial activity ment code and model for and higher density resigrowth is a priority. dential are typically seen With new residential along the main corridors and commercial develof the city, Faught said. opments on the horizon, “If our future land the city will continue to use map does not show take a philosophical and future use for areas in the comprehensive approach city, we will look at the to zoning. comprehensive plan,” Zoning ordinances Naini said. “You always are based on the city’s want to make sure that comprehensive plan as any rezoning is compatrequired by the Texas loible with the goals of the cal government code, said comprehensive plan. It’s a Anjali Naini, city planner guiding document.” for Dripping Springs. The city currently has Dripping Springs will also 17 different zoning types, look at the future land use or districts, ranging from map that gives the city agriculture to low-density a better idea on how to single family to high denzone relative to location. sity and a variety of com“We always look at the mercial zoning codes. surrounding area to help Naini said the variety of give us an idea on how zoning districts is adto properly zone,” Naini vantageous as it enables said. “For residential dethe city to specifically velopments, we’ll look at regulate land use. the density of the project However, the city of relative to its location Dripping Springs does in the city. It’s all about have limitations on how it properly zoning land to can regulate outside of its be compatible with the immediate city limits, or city’s vision for growth extraterritorial jurisdicoutlined in the compretion (ETJ). hensive plan.” According to the Texas Ginger Faught, deputy Local Government Code, city administrator for the city and the county Dripping Springs, said the cannot zone in the ETJ, city needs to continuous- making it difficult for the ly work on the future land city to regulate developuse map, which outlines ments outside the city how the city will zone limits which can hinder parcels of land in the the city’s ability to protect future. citizens from large-scale As the city revises the developments. future land use map, “It’s a legislative fix and the public will have a lot it’s not something we of input so the city can cannot change as a city,”

“It’s all about properly zoning land to be compatible with the city’s vision for growth outlined in the comprehensive plan.”

ments between the city and developer on what can and cannot be done in the ETJ. Development agreements allow the city to extend its rules and enables regulation that would not be possible without it. –Anjali Naini, city planner for the City of Dripping Springs “Developers find these agreements beneficial Faught said. “You’ll see the ETJ.” because the city can nebills go through the legisHowever, Naini said gotiate to provide utility lature every session, but there are some ways the services in exchange for they don’t make it very far city can regulate outside city standards to be met,” in the process. But what of its immediate jurisNaini said. “These agreewe can do is educate our diction, particularly with ments benefit the city citizens on the limitations development agreements, greatly and allow us to the city has to regulate in which are written agreenegotiate some regulatory

Tattoo Parlor

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Continued from pg. 1 for the council regarding how to change the zoning so that it reflected the surrounding area. Anjali Naini, Dripping Springs city planner, said there are other tracts of land in that location that have multiple zoning-types for one property, which would have to be addressed by the city as development occurs. Additionally, Berrios’ business would be located near neighborhoods and other businesses. For the city, the challenge came with finding what kind of zoning change was needed that would reflect the type of businesses allowed in the future. “From what we can tell, it’s had that split zoning for at least decade,” Naini said. “Ranch Road 12 is becoming more and more commercialized and Berrios’ business is compatible with the area.” Mayor Pro Tem Bill Foulds said commercial services is a broad zoning type and was contemplating whether a retail-type

zoning change would be more appropriate for the area. “This council has approved tattoo parlors in the past,” said Dripping Springs Mayor Todd Purcell. “This isn’t about the business. We’re just trying to find a solution with this zoning change.” The council approved the zoning change to commercial services, but the discussion brought to question what other tracts of land have dual-zoning in the area. Despite the zoning discussion from held from the dais, council unanimously approved the operation of Berrios’ business, bringing a new form of art to Dripping Springs. “I’ve got a lot of friends who would love to stick around in this area to get a tattoo, but they just can’t,” said Rick Miller, a local resident and supporter of Berrios’ business. “This will keep money in our city and show people that we appreciate all forms of art.”

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