Weekly hillcountryweekly.com
Thursday, February 4
A NOTE FROM THE DEVELOPER ERIC HADE, Chief Development Officer, Waypoint Real Estate Investments
Although the developer had a deadline of Friday January 29 they did get an extension at least the next BPFC meeting. They have been working on this development for over two years. They believe that Estraya Boerne fits into the city’s master plan for SoBo and will provide the momentum to jump start the office, retail and restaurants needed to fulfill the concept of live, work and play in Boerne.
Each of the three types of unit mix - one, two and three bedroom - will have 50% dedicated to affordable housing or 15% below market value. Their formula proposes an overall savings of the equivalent of two months rent, allowing Boerne to retain the valuable residents of the city. The target market is the 25 to 35 year old professional/s that has not yet started a family.
REACTION FROM BISD TRUSTEES
JOE TIDWELL I would have loved to collaborate [with the city] if we could have been talking but we were not given the opportunity. There are three points - 1. No bad guys here; everyone doing what they think is best. 2. Math does not work out. City gets $50,000 and BISD and County lose $650,000. 3. This is not a great idea right now; this is bad. Our job is to look out for the community. If this development is good now, wait until someone comes along and does not ask for the tax exemption.
DAVID SPENCER (in a telephone conversation) Something is wrong with the process. Normally you would discuss the impact with all the stakeholders before the [BPFC] vote. In conclusion, one of the points that BISD makes is “Community support for the district through property taxation, regardless of the number school children a property may yield or the expected age of the resident is essential to the success and mission of the District”.
RICH SENA It is clear that the attorney [Jim Plummer] does not understand BISD and the developer is inaccurate on the number of school age children. We don’t need to give away the tax money, Legacy [on Herff Road] did not ask for it.
ALAN RICH The topic of affordable housing has been discussed many times. San Antonio rents are still cheaper. They [BPFC] would have sharpened their pencils if they had better facts.
DONNA SHARP (in a telephone conversation) It is our responsibility to protect the financial revenue of our school district. It was unusual to be caught so off guard and the lack of transparency was a surprise.
CARLIN FRIAR We need to be collaborative with the city; we need the support of the city and the county. I don’t like the concept of not being able to tax.
MARITZA GONZALEZ COOPER Lesson learned, we need better collaboration. If the development does pass and the city gets $250,000 maybe there is a project that will be beneficial to the school district and the city.
