The approval of the first reading was the next step for a proposed boutique hotel and the reopening of Tavern in the Gruene.
The overview
The request, submitted by Killen, Griffin & Farrimond PLLC on behalf of property owner Brandy Worley, seeks to rezone approximately 5.97 acres within the Billy and Ed Miles Subdivision located at 830, 832 and 870 Gruene Road. The proposed rezoning would change the lot from a combination of neighborhood commercial and multifamily districts, with a special use permit for short-term rentals, to a resort commercial district, according to agenda documents.
The property currently includes a mix of residential-style structures used for overnight lodging, formerly known as the Gruene Homestead Inn, as well as the closed Tavern in the Gruene, according to agenda documents.
The project aligns with the city’s comprehensive plan and strategic plan, which encourages infill development that can be supported by existing infrastructure, said Christopher Looney, director of neighborhood and community planning for the city of New Braunfels.
“It allows a variety of retail and service uses, plus hotels, recreation centers, other amusement-type activities, campgrounds, movie theaters, restaurants, microbreweries, just to name a few,” Looney said.
City staff and the planning commission recommended approval of the request, after 26 public hearing notices were mailed to nearby property owners, resulting in four responses in favor of the rezoning and three opposed, Looney said.
About the project
The project, tentatively named “Gruene Court,” would include a luxury boutique hotel at the corner of Gruene Road and Hanz Drive, along with the reopening of Tavern in the Gruene. The hotel is proposed to be three stories tall with about 150 rooms. The development will also house event and meeting space and a restaurant, said Ashley Farrimond, an attorney representing the prospective developers.
The rezoning would provide consistent zoning across the developable portion of the property and help revitalize a site that has seen declining use in recent years, Farrimond said.
“Last year, the property had roughly an 18% occupancy rate,” Farrimond said. “So we're trying to bring some economic life back to this property, create property tax, create [hotel occupancy] tax, sales tax, all of those things.”
A 1-acre portion of the property adjacent to Cotton Crossing would remain as its current designation and serve as a residential buffer, as city code would not permit multifamily housing under its current zoning because of street classification requirements, Farrimond said.
The project would include new paving, parking, landscaping, sidewalks and the removal of an existing pool that residents have previously raised concerns about. All lighting would also comply with dark-sky regulations, and the project would meet city noise standards, Farrimond said.
What they’re saying
Residents in support of the development said it would enhance the appearance of the area, prevent future multifamily development and revive a property with historical ties to Gruene.
“We have sat and spent time with the developer. And I want to tell you how excited we are about this development and how much it will add to the beauty of this area,” said Edgar Miles, who lives adjacent to the site.
Other residents raised concerns about building height, water availability, traffic, tree removal and the loss of historic structures.
“I just want to ensure that the building considers that we are a residential neighborhood in Cotton Crossing,” said Melissa Nairn, who lives adjacent to the property. “So we want to ensure that with the zoning change that if this hotel does go forward, we don't end up with a structure that's as tall as 75 feet.”
Developers intend to preserve as many mature trees as possible and explore relocating historic structures to Heritage Village if feasible, said Robert Mims, the prospective owner and developer of the property.
What’s next
New Braunfels Mayor Neal Linnartz emphasized that the vote addressed zoning only and that any future development would be subject to additional review, including site plans, traffic impact analysis, historic preservation requirements and permitting.
Council ultimately approved the rezoning request, allowing the proposal to move forward to the next phases of development review, with the second and final reading expected to be held Jan. 26, Mims said in an interview with Community Impact.
