By Moses Leos III

A more than 2,000-acre master planned community located along Old Stagecoach Road in Kyle may be on the horizon. 

 While a master plan is forthcoming for Blanco River Ranch Properties, located west of Kyle, developers anticipate making the community a part of the city in the future. 

“We want this to be a Kyle community,” Bob Richardson, CEO of RVi Planning, said on June 16. “We want this to be a ‘live, work, play’ community.” 

According to Richardson, the development group acquired the land known as the Gregg Ranch on June 1 from the General Land Office (GLO). In a presentation to the Kyle City Council on June 16, Richardson said approximately 70 percent of the 2,160 acre property is developable. 

The Blanco River Ranch development is one mile from downtown, but the majority of the property is situated in Kyle’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Jerry Hendrix, Kyle chief of staff, said the city could extend water and wastewater services to the development. 

Hendrix maintained that no plans have been finalized. 

In addition, no plans have been made by either Kyle or Blanco River Ranch for the property to be incorporated into the city’s limits. 

But Hendrix said a new development that is contiguous to the city limits could request to be annexed. According to Richardson, the Blanco River Ranch property could add 20 percent to the city’s 10,000 acres within its city limits if it’s annexed into the city. 

Also unknown is the number of homes that could make up the development. A price range for the homes is also unclear. 

While Richardson didn’t have an exact number of homes, he said there wouldn’t be more than 2.5 to 3 residential units per acre. Homes would comprise a variety of styles and price ranges. 

Limiting density could allow for more space for other options. Richardson cited potential parkland and commercial opportunities, along with a possible church and school in the development. 

He also said the group discovered roughly 100 acres that could become a potential habitat for wildlife. Richardson said RVi would “make sure we do what’s required from the (Texas Fish and Wildlife) standpoint.”  

The location of the property, on the western edge of the city, is something Richardson said the development group wants to “take advantage of and leverage.” 

But several caveats and considerations have to be made by the developer prior to crafting a master plan. Richardson said the group will find “things we know will influence development.” 

“We’re still in the stop, look and listen [phase],” he said. “We’re really taking our time, listening and paying attention to not only the land, but what does Kyle want with this piece of property.” 

Richardson said mapping out the area’s drainage and floodplains will be one of the primary focuses. It would go toward finding what land is developable and what isn’t. 

From there, the planning group could find how many homes could be developed, and how much land could go toward other amenities. 

Working with other agencies is another primary focus, extending toward working with Hays County’s Master Transportation Plan and Kyle’s Comprehensive Plan.  

Both plans have a portion of the Kyle Loop system going through the property. The Kyle Loop system would connect Yarrington Road to Robert S. Light Boulevard in Buda. The system would encompass a new alignment to FM 150 that would cut through the Blanco River Ranch property. 

“We know we need roads,” Richardson said on June 16. “We need to make sure…those roads are where it works best for us and the city.” 

RVi plans to work with Kyle to craft a development agreement, along with assistance in financing infrastructure. 

Kyle City Manager Scott Sellers said the developers are seeking to create a Public Infrastructure District (PID). 

Sellers said the development “fits in with other developments that have requested a PID.” 

Sellers said Blanco River Ranch and other developers are awaiting the city’s policy on PIDs to be passed. 

With discussion on Blanco River Ranch ongoing for years, Richardson said he hopes the “talking is done.” 

“We’re anxiously anticipating on seeing their plans,” Sellers said.