Following recommendations from city staff, City Council members also adopted the development agreement for the SouthStar Communities development that is located in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction.
SouthStar Communities, a New Braunfels-based development company, has been in talks with the city of New Braunfels since early 2020 to negotiate the development agreement and create the WID.
The property, called Mayfair, is located north of Kohlenberg Road and bisected by I-35 in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of New Braunfels and is owned by the Texas General Land Office.
SouthStar is anticipated to develop the land over the next 15 to 20 years and will incorporate residential, commercial and public space into the community, said Thad Rutherford, CEO of SouthStar Communities. Developers expect to have the first homes completed by 2023.
By approving the WID, officials in the city have the ability to enter the agreement to outline permitting and planning reviews and oversee the developer’s commitments to deliver project amenities for the district.
The city will be able to impose development standards including review and approval by city bodies, regulating the form and placement of buildings, ensuring housing diversity and implementing walkability and connectivity standards.
New Braunfels Utilities is expected to consider a utility agreement with the developer in August, Rutherford said, but the community will be responsible for funding and maintaining water and wastewater infrastructure.
City approval of the WID and development agreement are contingent upon SouthStar and NBU formalizing the utility agreement.
In addition to utility infrastructure, Rutherford said Mayfair will finance the creation of roadways, fire services, emergency medical services, police services and trash collection for the community.
