By Paige Lambert
Buda’s plan to move forward with two annexations could lead to the removal of Austin’s extraterrestrial jurisdiction (ETJ) south of Buda.
The annexation was part of the Buda City Council’s discussion on the city’s growth plan and its annexation priorities for the year during their Jan. 5 meeting.
Buda’s proposed plan would look at annexing 220 acres along the west side of FM 1626, from Elm Grove to Onion Creek, along with 410 acres between the Texas Lehigh property to the FM 2770-FM 1626 intersection.
Chance Sparks, Buda’s Director of Planning, said these annexations would eliminate the portion of Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction that wraps around the south side of Buda. Both cities made an agreement in 2001 to give the land to Buda as needed.
“They basically said, Buda, if you adopt our environmental regulations that are generally consistent the city of Austin has,” said Sparks. “We will in turn, as your city grows and annexes, we will release our ETJ.”
The annexations would completely cover Austin’s ETJ in the area and resolve administrative issues, he said.
“It’s also got a lot of miles on it so you want to go ahead and get that off the books before things change,” Sparks said.
According to documents, the city has developed an annual growth plan since 2009. The plan typically projects for the next three years.
“It’s just looking at how the city wants to grow, looking at annexation for the next several years,” said Sparks.
The city completed two voluntary annexations totaling 156.51 acres in 2015 and is able to annex up to 1,691.80 acres this year.
The city has continued its annexation program and has expanded from 4.1 square miles to 81.3 square miles over the past five years, Sparks said.
The plan also outlines annexations to clarify the city boundary and manage growth. Some of the areas include 10 acres at Old Goforth Road and Hillside Terrace, 14 acres near Buda Elementary and 70 acres of Double R and Pinafore Park subdivisions.
The city may also look at annexing 490 acres between Old Black Colony Road and Cole Springs Road. Sparks said the annexation would transfer the maintenance of Old Black Colony from the county to the city.
“So one of the things we would want to think about is that road,” Sparks said. “And talk with commissioner Jones about what is planned for it.”
City engineer Stanley Fees said Hays County Precinct No. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones said the county plans to rebuild the road from FM 1626 to the Whispering Hollow subdivision.
The city’s plan proposal includes three annexation schedules for hearings and approvals, he said. All the schedules would be complete by the end of the year.
“This can be a messy, complex process, but we’ve gotten better at it over the years,” Sparks said. “What we don’t use we can carry into the following years.”
Sparks said he plans to present a resolution calling for the annexation of the two Austin ETJ areas.
The city council collectively said they wanted more information before going forward with the Old Black Colony Road annexation.
Annexing:
Buda’s proposed plan would look at annexing 220 acres along the west side of FM 1626, from Elm Grove to Onion Creek, along with 410 acres between the Texas Lehigh property to the FM 2770-FM 1626 intersection.
