What you need to know
The comprehensive plan is a long-range document that outlines certain priorities and objectives for the city; it also helps guide decisions regarding future land use, developments and community needs.
The plan has four main goals:
- Community: Focus on people, partnerships, responsive government
- Activity: Events and experiences, parks and trails, health and wellness
- Mobility: Great streets, trails, thoughtful design, connectivity
- Economy: Local businesses, retail focus, employment
The context
To appropriately plan for the future, the document takes inventory of the state of the city and how it has grown and changed over time.
The city's population more than doubled from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, from 7,295 to 15,108 residents. The population is expected to reach 40,000 in 2050.
The median home value is lower than the county median value while the median household income outpaces the county and statewide median income. Additionally, just over 70% of Buda's residents are homeowners while just under 30% are renters, which is something residents want to see a change in.
Who if affects
City officials began the process of public engagement earlier this year with committee meetings, open houses, surveys and focus group meetings.
According to data from these engagement events, residents said the city needs more mixed-use developments, trails and local restaurants; additionally, residents believe the city needs less traffic, storage facilities and industrial developments.
Water conservation, additions to FM 1626 and connectivity are also important to the city's future, according to survey data.
What else?
Other drafts and maps, such as the city's parks and trails as well as the existing land use maps, also help aid in the planning of the city's future regarding possible expansions and new additions.
Next steps
Residents are free to leave comments and feedback regarding the comprehensive plan draft here on the Our Buda website.
City Council will receive the feedback from the open house on Aug. 23 and could take action on the plan at a meeting Sept. 5.
