Woodside neighborhood developer proposes 500-home expansion to Sun City in Georgetown

Developer Blake Magee Company presented an updated plan for the Woodside Municipal Utility District, which includes a partnership with Pulte Group to expand Sun City’s active-adult community.

The project would annex the 162.5-acre Thompson Tract into city limits to build about 500 new age-restricted homes. Previously, the developer proposed the neighborhood addition without a commercial buffer or amenity center.

What happened

Amy Payne, a senior project manager with Blake Magee, presented updated development plans to council members in response to feedback from a May 26 City Council workshop.

Updates include:

• A 10-acre commercial buffer along Hwy. 195 to separate the road from homes
• An expanded 7.4-acre amenity site featuring a more than 10,000-square-foot community center
• More than $1 million in traffic signals and turn lane improvements at Hwy. 195
• An estimated buildout valuation of $350 million, generating roughly $1.2 million in annual tax revenue

In response to council members' concerns about an excess of age-restricted housing in Georgetown, Payne showed data that reflects a demand for this type of property.

Age-restricted homes in Sun City sell at an average rate of 16 per month, compared to about 1.7 traditional homes in the existing Woodside development, Payne said. The development partners would not move forward with building traditional housing on the site, she said.

What they’re saying

The majority of council members generally supported the project with the updated terms, especially because of the Thompson Tract’s position contiguous to the Sun City neighborhood.

Mayor Josh Schroeder also pointed out risks if council members do not approve the developers’ plans, including the possibility of a higher-density project in the extraterritorial jurisdiction with no city oversight, a high MUD tax rate and no infrastructure improvements.

“I don't think anyone would like what this property could look like if this project doesn't happen,” Schroeder said. “And I think the folks in Sun City, the folks in Woodside, do not want to see the alternative development of this property.”

What’s next

Before they give final approval, council members instructed staff to negotiate the following conditions:

• Double the barrier between the commercial and residential areas
• Update the public safety fee to be greater than the proposed $630 per lot
• Require developers to pay the full traffic impact fees under the city's new policies

“I think we've got clear direction moving forward here,” Schroeder said.