According to the city of New Braunfels, the builder for the project received the proper permits to begin construction, including excavating up to a 9-foot-deep detention pond.
“Last Thursday (Sept. 1st), the city of New Braunfels was notified that the contractor performing the excavation had significantly exceeded the scope of the permit. City inspectors immediately responded to the scene and ordered the contractor to stop excavating,” the city said in a statement. “However, the contractor continued to remove subgrade material in that area, which has now resulted in the city issuing a full stop-work order.”
When completed, the Gateway at Gruene will include 227 luxury apartment units ranging from 575-1400 square feet. Apartments will include studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans among three-story walkup and two-story townhome-style buildings with both surface parking and detached garages, according to the developer MNO Partners.
The contractor will now be required to contract with third-party engineers to conduct a geotechnical review of the site and the original design for the detention pond for work to begin again. The engineers will then have to report that the overexcavation has created no adverse impact. The contractor will also have to submit a new design and have the compacted soil routinely tested by third-party engineers, according to the city of New Braunfels.
Residents can report possible violations, including unsafe conditions or work occurring without permits, by visiting www.newbraunfels.gov/buildingcomplaint or calling 830-221-4060.
