A big crowd of residents stuffed the courtroom of the Gillespie County Courthouse Monday morning for the common session of Commissioners Courtroom to voice issues relating to a improvement mission often known as Mariposa at Fredericksburg Residences. The pending mission seeks to construct extra reasonably priced housing models within the Mariposa Drive space by means of funding from the Texas Housing Basis (THF).
Throughout the public listening to, District Decide Daniel Jones reminded these current that the agenda merchandise involved an settlement between THF and the county and was not about approval of the event mission itself. THF is a public fund that helps counties develop reasonably priced housing.
THF made a request to the Gillespie County commissioners court docket throughout its March 27 assembly that may permit THF to train its powers within the unincorporated areas of the county. This got here after a proposal by the PDV Group to develop round Mariposa Drive and Sunday Circle by means of funding from THF.
The PDV group had acquired vital opposition from close by residents to the proposed improvement throughout a Sept. 6 Fredericksburg Metropolis Council assembly.
Resulting from prior opposition from residents, together with ambiguous improvement plans introduced by the PDV Group, the Commissioners Courtroom had unanimously agreed to schedule a public listening to and search counsel relating to the mission.
It was somewhat deceptive to me two weeks in the past, mentioned Keith Kramer, Pct. 2 Commissioner, on the opening of the talk. After some analysis I noticed that they’re in search of tax breaks which weren’t introduced to us in a greater manner.
Greater than 10 county residents got here ahead to share their issues, and all expressed opposition to the event.
That is simply not the appropriate place for this mission, mentioned Nancy Heiner through the public listening to, who then referenced an accident that had occurred not too long ago on the intersection of Mariposa Dr. and US 290 East.
Jim Hambright shared issues in regards to the modifications the event may carry to the residential space, saying the flats they wish to construct will destroy our two neighborhoods, Mariposa and Heritage, due to the focus of individuals, noise and visitors.
A number of residents shared through the public listening to that PDV Group had failed to supply good communication all through the method.
Our neighborhood once more acquired no advance discover from PDV Group about their assembly in March with the county, the identical as final September, resident Invoice Sadd mentioned. PDV doesn’t intend to construct within the county exterior the town. They use it as a again door to power annexation.
Sadd continued to help his perspective by claiming that the PDV group has not offered any resolution to ongoing septic system issues.
Sadd was not the one citizen to specific mistrust within the PDV Teams course of.
This developer is principally making an attempt to shove this mission down all people’s throat whether or not they prefer it or not, mentioned Eric Schmalbach, who owns property within the space.
Many of those public listening to feedback ended with applause from others current within the courtroom.
After public remark, Pct. 3 Commissioner Dennis Neffendorf supported the opinion of the residents.
What I’ve seen in the previous few weeks with this specific mission has been a first-rate instance of poor planning resulting in poor efficiency, Neffendorf mentioned of the PDV Teams course of.
Neffendorf continued to query the issue of placing 27,000 gallons of septic demand on 5-10 acres of property.
A consultant from the PDV group was not current on the assembly. Nonetheless, Mark Mayfield of THF expressed appreciation and concern after the general public remark.
Wasn’t the developer, Mayfield mentioned. There have been many phrases (about) deception. The Texas Housing Basis doesn’t. I’ve heard all of those feedback and I recognize all of them, however that’s not who we’re.
Earlier than the ultimate vote, County Decide Daniel Jones expressed his issues.
I made this remark and I’ll make it once more, Jones mentioned. What’s being requested from the county has, for me, an excessive amount of uncertainty about what the mission will appear to be.
Giving the inexperienced gentle on the financing facet (the funds) was just a bit alongside for the journey, and we do not know the place it’ll finish.
Jones then made a movement to disclaim the request by THF to enter right into a cooperative settlement with Gillespie County relating to the Mariposa at Fredericksburg Residences. The commissioners court docket voted unanimously to disclaim the request.
Instantly after the vote, Pct. 4 Commissioner Don Weinheimer reminded all attendees that the PDV Group may nonetheless transfer ahead with its mission by elevating personal financing, stressing that the counties’ vote didn’t assure the mission could be deserted.
The airport is planning a celebration
Tony Lombardi, supervisor of the Gillespie County Airport, sought court docket approval for the usage of funds to organize and plan the seventy fifth anniversary celebration for the opening of the airport.
The airport plans to host a celebration on Could 20 with an open home from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., open to the general public, with meals vans, historic plane shows, distributors and bi-plane excursions accessible. After the open home, the airport is planning a personal reception for a lot of of its common customers in a personal hangar from 17.30-20.
After some changes to the requested funds, the court docket unanimously authorized the airport’s use of $3,375 in Lodge Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds to promote the occasion and introduced different prices for future consideration.
HOT means scattered
Gillespie County launched the record of 2023 awards for the HOT funds. Complete funding quantities to $186,300 and was awarded as follows:
$9,000 Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce.
$6,000 Pedernales Artistic Arts Alliance/dba Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg.
$6,000 Fredericksburg Rotary Membership Basis.
$20,800 Pals of Gillespie County Colleges, Inc.
$8,000 Texas Hill Nation Increased Schooling Growth Fund/dba Hill Nation College Middle.
$45,000 Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
$20,000 Stonewall Chamber of Commerce.
$10,000 Admiral Nimitz Basis.
$2,000 Fredericksburg Music Membership.
$10,000 Cherry Mountain Group Membership.
$10,000 Fredericksburg Theater Firm.
$2,500 Heritage Faculty (Ice rink).
$2,000 Fredericksburg Farmers Market.
$5,000 Hill Nation Fruit Council.
$30,000 Gillespie County Historic Society.
Different agenda objects
Different objects on the agenda for the common assembly on April 10 embrace:
Accredited a lease for the T-hangar at Gillespie County Airport.
Point out a $100 payment to order house on the airport on the Sixth-Ninth. April 2024 through the Photo voltaic Eclipse.
Added Toshiba Monetary Companies to the record of routine bills to enhance the effectivity of the Treasurers Workplace.
Listed objects as salvage/surplus presently situated in Annex 2 and the Legislation Enforcement Constructing.
Bought two substitute water heaters for the Gillespie County Jail.
Bought HVAC models for the Annex 1 constructing.
Started the method with a request for {qualifications} for a countywide skilled engineer.
Accredited an RFP for county depository and banking companies.
Appointed Pct. 2 Commissioner Keith Kramer and County Decide Daniel Jones with authority to rent, hearth and self-discipline on behalf of the Commissioners Courtroom.
Nominated Don Foster for the Gillespie Central Appraisal District Board of Administrators.
Employed Probability Webb as a jailer within the sheriff’s workplace.
Set a public listening to for Could 8 relating to a rezoning to mix tons 54 and 55, Harper Street Estates Cellular Dwelling Village, Pct. 2.
