The number of developments in Gillespie County is growing rapidly. There are a staggering 7,588 new lots/units proposed or under construction, according to the Gillespie County Economic Development Commission. Here are a few of those developments.
—Village – Fredericksburg
The TCEQ Commissioners reviewed the permit request despite indicating that this is “a very small discharge.” This may be a small discharge compared to other discharge permits but the threat to our aquifer and the river are significant. We still stand firm – zero discharge into Beckmann Branch.
The Commissioners then reviewed who was designated as an affected person. The HCUWCD (Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District), Pedernales River Alliance and Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance were approved as affected persons. Four individuals who are located close to the Village were also approved as affected persons.
Our case was approved for a SOAH (State Office of Administrative Hearings) hearing.
This is good news for all who care about the River and our aquifers. Now, however, begins the more difficult task: we must raise a significant amount of money to hire experts who can support our concerns and the lawyers who will present our case.
As we put together our fund raising campaign, please give thoughtful consideration…what is clean drinking water and a pristine river worth?
Donate Today!
The Pedernales River Alliance (PRA) is a member of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA). One of the things that GEAA helps us with is the collection of donations.
Follow this link to the PayPal donation page on the GEAA website
Look for “Write a Note”
Click on it and Insert “for Pedernales River Alliance”
Complete the form to make the donation.
Thank you very much for helping us care for our River.
—The Sycamore
We have not heard much from the folks at Sycamore. Over at the faux distillery, however, they have become a part of the Harvest Host group. They encourage dry camping out behind their buildings. Guess they have to justify all those lights at night somehow.
LB Development broke ground on the The Sycamore, a new mixed-use lifestyle center. a 117-acre development, located on Luckenbach Road and Highway 290E. All vegetation was scraped from the earth and it appears a retention pond is being built, a large one. We cannot help but wonder how this will affect the adjacent peach orchards. This development will include a Salt Lick BBQ restaurant.
Salt Lick at The Sycamore: the first phase of a 121-acre project at Highway 290 and Luckenbach in the Texas Wine Country will break ground in early 2025…
Read more…
—Lazo Ranch
Lazo Ranch, just south of The Village of Grape Creek is owned by Blue Mesa Fredericksburg LP (Limited Partnership). It is located at 548 Jenschke Lane, Property ID 1519, 72.2 acres and ID 33856, .54 acres. The Ranch will be subdivided into 7 tracts as far as we know…
Read more…
—Arch Ray
Arch Ray is on 290E and currently is a very large facility including a restaurant, winery, tasting room and brewery. While they started out seeking a permit to discharge 35,000gal/day of treated wastewater into the Pedernales River, they have decided to go with a Zero Discharge permit. This is really good news as it means that they will keep all treated wastewater on their own site using it for irrigation/landscaping. They have also committed to providing Dark Skies friendly lighting and to landscape with Native Plants. We look forward to Dark Skies over Arch Ray and Native Plants making their facility look like it was meant to be where it is.
