Dripping Springs officials have released a draft of the city’s comprehensive plan and are seeking feedback on the guide to the city’s development.

Known as “Reimagine Dripping Springs,” or the “2040 Comprehensive Plan,” the plan will set guidelines for real estate, infrastructure, economic development and zoning for the next 15 to 20 years. This will be an update to the last comprehensive plan adopted in January 2015.

Since February 2022, community events have been held to discuss the plan and what should be included as the city faces rapid growth and development.

The overview

According to city officials, key goals of the plan include:

• Managing growth while maintaining the community’s character by maintaining the natural environment of the Hill Country and guiding growth that reflects the community’s needs
• Ensuring proper maintenance of utilities, infrastructure and facilities by prioritizing stormwater, wastewater and water infrastructure improvement projects
• Providing efficient connectivity of streets and highways by partnering with the Texas Department of Transportation to monitor corridor plans, roadway improvements, expansions and traffic impacts
• Providing housing options “that meet the needs of community members,” by exploring options for regulating development in extraterritorial jurisdictions, reviewing architectural standards and expanding housing options
• Fostering a resilient economy and encouraging “balanced” growth by fostering tourism

The finalized plan will also include a vision statement, which according to the draft, will provide a basis for any future planning. The draft vision statement reads: “As the Gateway to the Hill Country, Dripping Springs is a friendly and charming community with unique scenic beauty. We are committed to exhibiting the best of small town life in Texas by preserving our natural resources, neighborhoods and dark skies.”

Zooming out

In the five year span of 2017 to 2022, the Dripping Springs population nearly doubled, as previously reported by Community Impact.

In that time, the growth prompted city officials to enact a development moratorium, school district officials to build a new school and for the community library to seek funding for a new facility.

The moratorium, enacted from November 2022 to September 2023, was issued over a lack of wastewater capacity and a need for an overhaul of the comprehensive land-use plan, as previously reported by Community Impact.

According to the draft "2040 Comprehensive Plan," wastewater capacity continues to be an issue, especially amid a lawsuit regarding a state permit that would allow the city’s wastewater facility to release and reuse treated wastewater, as previously reported by Community Impact.

In Hays County alone, the population has increased by about 37% from 2016 to 2023, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. It’s anticipated to increase again by almost 85% by 2060, according to population projections from the Texas Demographic Center.

Going forward

To review the draft plan and provide feedback, visit www.reimaginedrippingsprings.com.