By Moses Leos III

The rezoning of land near the Silverado subdivision died on Dec. 5 after Kyle City Council members joined residents in opposition to a proposed town home development.

 The rezoning item, which was to rezone 1.30 acres at 707 Live Oak Street from single family residential (R-1) to residential town home (R-1-T), was voted down by a 5-1 vote. Council member Shane Arabie voted in favor of the rezoning. A second item to rezone 14 acres to R-1-T was withdrawn by the applicant Tyler Williams.

Williams had sought to rezone both properties and assemble them to build town homes. He had planned to construct town homes over the 15-plus acre property.

Despite concerns and outcry from nearby neighbors, both rezoning cases made their way through the Kyle Planning and Zoning commission.

Those residents, however, returned when the item went before city council. Roughly eight speakers spoke during public hearing against the development. Many of the speakers had concerns about resulting traffic and drainage. 

Resident Sue Ellen Creek said she was concerned that traffic would increase along main thoroughfares in Silverado, and to Montera, which would connect Silverado with the development. 

She also thought property values with the new development might change, and that developers may not “consider how many kids” are added to Hays CISD schools. 

Silverado resident Dane Jackson also thought property values would fall due to the development. He also said he “didn’t understand” how the city could allow more traffic flow through the neighborhood. 

“There is no plan. There is nothing. We don’t understand that,” Jackson said. “I’ve lived here 13 years and I’m moving out because of the traffic flow from Hometown Kyle.” 

Kyle resident Linda Tenorio said the town homes concept was “poor planning” and that “not enough information was provided to people.” 

Tenorio had concerns over drainage issues that may arise due to the development. 

“You already know the drainage problems … you’re adding more drainage problems with townhouses,” Tenorio said. 

Community Development Director Howard Koontz said traffic could increase with the development. But he added that there would be more than one entrance point into the subdivision. He added that the development could lead to wastewater, stormwater and street improvements. 

Koontz said that the city’s current draining system is “holding standards” for a 750-year storm. 

Williams said the development was not “to add traffic to Live Oak street.” In addition he said traffic wouldn’t go back into the Silverado subdivision. 

Williams said he believed bringing the new  kind of development to the city  could attract young professionals and empty nesters. 

Arabie felt that the rezoning would be a good buffer between single family residential parcels, so the city doesn’t have “warehouse (zoning) next to single family residential.” He also believed the development could lead to improved roads. 

“We need development to catalyze those areas,” Arabie said. “We need to do this already.” 

But many city council members held various concerns over the development. Council member Damon Fogley said it “isn’t financially sustainable” to add the town home rezoning without retail or mixed use. He also believed it could be a “burden” on public works and the police department. 

Council member Becky Selbera said she wanted to see “good quality homes come to Kyle,” but was dissuaded by traffic and draining concerns. 

For Mayor Todd Webster, concerns over the impact of the development may not justify the cost.