Published: March 21, 2008 10:40 am         

600-acre annexation heading for council

San Marcos — Plans for San Marcos to annex nearly 600 acres south of town for a high-end development that would feature resort-style homes, a golf course and limited retail space could be set for a first council vote soon.

No one showed up at the second of two public hearings scheduled on the annexation of portions of the Hillert Tract at Tuesday’s council meeting, meaning the annexation could get the first of three readings as early as next month, Mayor Susan Narvaiz said on Wednesday.

But citing the volatility of the market, the owners who requested the area be annexed are now seeking new buyers for the project.

“We have got some interested purchasers,” said Diane Langness of The Anderson Group, which represents property owners Rick Anderson and Bob Mayo. She said a conceptual plan featured on the Web site of the engineering firm Loomis Austin “has changed.”

Loomis Austin requested the annexation involving 563.199 acres, more or less, stretching from Staples Road to the San Marcos River. Its borders run roughly parallel to CR 266 (Old Bastrop Road) and Scull Road, though abutting neither.

It includes a significant stretch of riverfront.

The tract straddles the Hays/Guadalupe county line with about half the property in each jurisdiction. It is located about two miles east of the present San Marcos city limits and when fully built, according to the original projections, could contain up to 900 homes, according to the city’s proposed service plan.

It would put people living in what’s now suburban Martindale a literal stone’s throw from San Marcos proper, across the river from portions of Spring River Estates.

Last November, the Martindale City Council, on request from Loomis Austin, released the area from its Extra Territorial Jurisdiction.

The tract is also being billed as being along the future course of the San Marcos Loop, though that would be the second portion of the planned roadway, not the first portion from McCarty Lane to Hwy. 123 that city and county authorities are now working to jump-start.

According to Jonathan Rosenblum of Loomis Austin, the original concept was for resort style homes and a golf course, not “cookie-cutter” style. “The parcel on the river is too nice of a property for a cookie-cutter home development,” he said.

Residents of whatever development occurs there would enjoy full police and fire protection and other city services.

Concurrent with the annexation, the city would also take in easements totaling around 13.069 acres for wastewater lines. The area is currently gets its water from Crystal Clear Water Supply Corporation which, according to the developer, has submitted a letter of its intent to provide service under a Non-Standard Service Agreement.

The area is in the Bluebonnet Electric Co-op service area.

In keeping with city policies, the development would have to include recreational facilities. In attachments to the city’s agenda, city staff said they had suggested the development be concentrated away from the river’s edge.

     

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