The details
The property is currently zoned as a single-family district with airport hazard overlay and a light industrial district with airport hazard overlay. The proposed zoning change would be for a multifamily low-density district with airport hazard overlay and a special use permit to allow for multiple single-family dwellings, according to agenda documents.
The rezoning would have restrictions that would decrease the chance of the properties being turned into Airbnbs, Shannon Mattingly, director of land use and entitlements at Drenner Group, said.
Drenner Group is a real estate law and consulting firm and Mattingly is the applicant representing the property owner.
“Some of those restrictions would be that no building would be taller than 30 feet, which is essentially a one or two-story home. Due to being a condominium, the units would be detached dwelling units, not traditional multi-family housing,” Mattingly said.
How we got here
The proposed rezoning was presented to the city’s planning commission May 6. The commission voted against the proposed rezoning in a 6-1 vote with planning commissioner Jerry Sonier being the single dissenting vote.
“I think it's important for us to point out that the lot you see can be a lot of things you don't want in your backyard currently,” Sonier said. “This changes the property to be more similar to your current properties in that it's family homes.”
What the dais is saying
Mayor Neal Linnartz said he was concerned about the zoning change.
“It does create a dilemma with losing that industrial zoning. I do support the product and I appreciate that nobody wants it near their house but I do have concerns about losing that industrial zoning,” he said.
Council member Michael Capizzi questioned the purpose of the rezoning.
“I think when it comes to affordable housing, we are pretty heavy on affordable housing in that general area,” he said.
What residents are saying
Bob Moore, a Veramendi resident, said he was concerned about the rezoning and how it would affect the area.
“Water is probably one of the biggest issues going on in the city right now. Personally, I would like to see a better comprehensive plan regarding the water issues this might bring,” Moore said during the June 9 City Council meeting.
George House Jr., one of the neighboring property owners, said he was in favor of the rezoning and thought single family homes were a good idea.
"There are already too many ugly looking apartments on Common St. and FM 1102,” he wrote in a comment to the planning commission.
Rachel Smith, a resident of New Braunfels, said she was concerned about what the rezoning might do to the value of her home.
“I am worried about my property value, and that is part of the beauty of why we bought a house in that location,” Smith said during the May 6 planning commission meeting. “I am worried about how much these homes are [going to] sell for and what that is going to do to my property.”
Jim Holster, another New Braunfels resident, said he was in favor of the project.
New Braunfels resident Courtney Christian said Hunter Road was already a heavily traveled two-lane road without a protected left turn lane onto FM 306.
“I personally witness near-accidents multiple times each week, and I’ve seen several collisions occur at this intersection over the years. The addition of more residents—and therefor more vehicles—will only worsen an already dangerous situation,” Christian said in an email to the planning commission.
What’s next?
The item will come back to the dais for final consideration on July 14.
