Village Grove
The first development, the Village Grove, is planned for 112 acres located south and east of the Sports and Recreation Park on Sports Park Road. The project is in the early stages and council did not take action on the item, but would eventually have to pass a Municipal Utility District agreement to allow the project to move forward.
John Doucet, a representative of the Village Grove, said the MUD will allow for the city to build roads around the projects—essentially a loop that would connect the project with U.S. 290 and Ranch Road 12 with the intention of easing current and future traffic congestion. It will also establish a wastewater easement agreement and other necessary infrastructure plans.
The proposal would bring up to 531 residential units, including roughly 351 single-family townhouse and duplex units and up to 180 single family homes. It would also include retail, a civic center and 23.9 acres of open space and parkland.
The overall feedback from the council was positive, with Mayor Bill Foulds suggesting that the developers plan for more restaurant space.
Before the project can move forward the city would have to agree to creation of a Municipal Utility District and approve the plans for both the homes and the parkland.
Doucet said the vision for the property is to bring homes that are more affordable for young couples and older adults unable to afford or uninterested in a larger, single family home. At the same time, the parkland and the retail is intended to build a sense of community and offer places for other Dripping Springs residents to go, per Doucet.
New Grove
The second proposal is a rental home community that would bring 288 single-family townhomes to 36 south of U.S. 290 on Roger Hanks Parkway. This proposal also includes a mixed used component aimed to offer shopping, dining and other amenities within walking distance of the residents, according to the plan.
City Council will eventually be asked to vote on a Memorandum of Understanding for the development.
Under the MOU, the land, which is currently zoned for commercial use, would be zoned to allow townhomes. The city would provide wastewater services for the property. The developers would be responsible for improving Roger Hanks Parkway if the city deems it necessary.
If city council agrees to the MOU, it would still have to work with developers on several issues including other utilities and infrastructure, parkland requirements and more.
City council did not give a firm timeline for moving forward with either project, but both the MUD for the Village Grove and the MOU with New Grove will have to be approved by council.
