The property was rezoned from a light industrial district and agricultural district to a neighborhood district with a special-use permit to build a 320-unit townhome-style housing development.
“[The developer’s] intent is to develop multiple clusters of townhouses on one lot,” said Christopher Looney, planning and development services director for the city, during a Dec. 13 council meeting. “This is a new style of development—something innovative, still low density, but it's something new, and therefore our zoning ordinance doesn't have a category for it."
Steve Drenner of the Drenner Group out of Austin spoke on behalf of the developer of the project, the Keystone National Group.
The property is designed to be primarily a rental community, he said, and will incorporate open space and amenities throughout the neighborhood, and each unit will have an attached garage.
“It is a new product type. It's a missing middle, if you will, in the residential market—not just in New Braunfels in particular, but it embraces the concepts I think that fit New Braunfels well,” Drenner said.
The earliest completion date would be the fall of 2024.
Keystone representative Mike Nielsen said rent will likely be between $1,300-$1,700 per month, though it is too early in development to know the exact costs.
During the meeting, several residents of surrounding communities voiced concerns about the continued growth of the area and how new housing developments would affect area roads.
"I've got it; no one wants to see more growth. ... I have an obligation to do my research and due diligence in all city matters, including this one," said District 4 Council Member Lawrence Spradley, who represents the area where the development will be located. "In this case, my opinion is it is responsible within my definition of responsible growth."
Goodwin Lane is scheduled to undergo improvements in summer 2023, according to the city, and will be expanded to a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane and a right-turn lane at key intersections.
