Development moratorium extended to 90 days in Dripping Springs

The Dripping Springs City Council voted to extend the city’s temporary development moratorium to 90 days during the Nov. 22 council meeting.

“We have a problem,” Mayor Bill Foulds said at the meeting. “We’re admitting to the problem, and we’re going to work through it as quickly as we can.”

The city intends for the moratorium—previously set to last from Nov. 18 to Nov. 27—to give staff time to develop a comprehensive plan for the city’s growth and to resolve wastewater issues, City Attorney Laura Mueller said.

Some developments will be allowed to continue. Small homeowner’s projects, such as the installation of a swimming pool, will not be affected by the waiver, Mueller said.

Developers working on large projects can apply for exceptions and, if denied, can then apply for a waiver. If they are denied a waiver, they will not be able to submit another waiver request unless they make significant changes to the plan, Mueller said.

Council will meet at Dripping Springs City Hall every Tuesday at 6 p.m. to consider applications for waivers.