Special election called to annex or regulate Schertz ETJ land

Only registered voters in the potential annexation would vote on the proposition. City Secretary Sheila Edmondson said during a Sept. 2 public hearing that 203 election notices were mailed out to impacted areas.

Only the property owners who have registered to vote using an address within the ETJ can vote in the election, according to agenda documents. All registered voters at an ETJ address can vote in the election, as can renters who live and registered to vote at the property. Those that own multiple properties within the ETJ are only allowed one vote.

The options

A “yes” vote for annexation would provide city services for annexed properties, but property owners would have to pay city taxes, Edmondson said. Voting “no” to annexation would give the city authority to adopt an ordinance regulating land use rules.

According to agenda documents, rules include limitations on structure height, lighting restrictions and restrictions on crane usage over a certain height during construction.

Offering input

Mayor Ralph Gutierrez said the election was ordered to assist operations at JBSA-Randolph.

“We want to protect the mission at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. We don’t want to jeopardize it, we don’t want to compromise it, and this is the best way that we thought of trying to preserve that,” Gutierrez said during the Sept. 2 public hearing.

During a subsequent public hearing Sept. 16, residents asked Deputy City Manager Brian James why the city chose now to order the election. James said council met earlier this year to discuss the issue, feeling “there was enough concern” that something in the ETJ could negatively impact JBSA-Randolph.

“That’s not to say they didn’t have that concern 10 years ago, or five years ago or three years ago, but I think as development continues, as the state limits the city’s ability to regulate in some areas generally, they decided now was the time to move forward with this provision,” James said.

Several public comments within the ETJ said that the two options were very similar. Resident Steve Slate said it seemed like an overreach of government.

“You want to give us Option A, annex us in. We don’t want that, and I can already tell you [that] you guys don’t want that because it’s going to cost you way too much money to put in sewage. ... If we don’t vote, [land use regulation] goes into effect, and what do we get out of [that]? It just seems like a power grab,” Slate said.

James said the city is trying not to overly complicate the regulations—setting minimum criteria in a “sensible way.”

“I hear you’re frustrated. ... I don’t disagree with you, but let me be real clear, you guys all vote or have the ability to vote at a state level for the people who put this law on the books. It’s what we all do. ... The reality is, we get to vote for those people who make the laws,” James said.

Next steps

According to agenda documents, staff will provide further clarity as to what will be regulated and how it will be enforced if the land use regulation option is selected. The presentation will take place at an October City Council meeting.

If annexation is selected, it will become effective when council enters an order stating an effective date of the proposition, according to the resolution calling the election.

The election will take place in Bexar County, with early voting beginning Oct. 20 for the Nov. 4 election. Residents can find out more on the Schertz or Bexar County election websites.