Lower the density

Some are looking to Austin to pass a bill that will enable high-density growth in an area of Kendall County where lowering density is a highly valued tool meant to preserve natural resources like water.

They have said much about the benefits to the business community, economic development and public schools. But with opportunity comes liability.

Consider the opening sentence of Senate Bill 1245: “A Bill to be an Act relating to the creation of Kendall County Water Control and Improvement District No. 2; providing authority to impose a tax and issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain.”

Once these powers are granted, development is to proceed using surface water from Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA).

This is the same strategy that was used to gain approval for a new Municipal Utility District. Yet, both developers actively assert a “right” to use groundwater in the future.

Surface water from GBRA ostensibly reduces strained water resources for existing communities whose sole source is groundwater. However, when existing needs have been met, “excess” GBRA water has been contracted to developers eager to build new subdivisions anywhere a pipeline can reach.

As a result, creating a MUD or WCID has suddenly become a popular development tool in the Hill Country. These new forms of government can circumvent county subdivision rules that are meant to limit density and protect scant recharge.

This is a critical liability for the majority who live beyond the proposed district boundaries whose sole source will remain groundwater.

The narrow allocation of water resources to some and widespread infringement on the water resources of many is not in the best interest of this citizen.

Some have found a supporter in State Senator Wentworth. He has heard what that group thinks. It’s time let him know what you think.

Milan J. Michalec
Kendall County

I’m voting for quality of life

Boerne is safe, easy to use and has an excellent library.

And Boerne is growing.

I support growth and improvement of city services that directly provide for safety, community usability, recreation and library resources.

The collection of propositions that comprise the May 12 bond election ballot is intended to assure that public safety infrastructure, community access, recreational facilities, and learning resources will continue to be available to serve the growing population.

While each proposition stands individually as an important part of a well designed town, it is the whole composition that delivers the unique quality of life that is Boerne. I’m voting for all of it.

Stephen R. Young
Boerne

Let's lead this bird

Please consider the following on May 12.

Libraries tend to be taken for granted. If you have not visited the Boerne Library lately, you may not be aware of what has been going on there. Did you know that 130,000 visitors entered the Boerne Public Library last year, making it one of our community’s most popular attractions?

Over the last 15 years, Kendall County has grown by 79 percent. Our projected growth is expected to significantly impact our community assets, and the library is busting at the seams already. The current building is too small for a community this size and for a library that does as much business as the Boerne library.

Let’s lead this bird. Let’s build a new library that expands materials and programming for our entire population, addresses current and future technology issues and accommodates the expected surge in the city’s growth. Let’s build a library that uniquely reflects the community and residents of Boerne.

Lucy K. Ziegler
Boerne

Save the aquifer

At (the April 3) SAWS meeting there was a tremendous response against the CCN. What SAWS should do is to stop their application for water and sewer and help the people of NW Bexar County stop the application from the Hills of Castle Rock to put in a high density subdivision in the Edwards contributing zone from being approved. This development at full build out will put over 800,00 gallons of treated waste water into the Edwards. The city of San Antonio has total control of the lot sizes and number of houses built. This is in the ETJ of San Antonio and it would be easy to limit the size of the development. We are not against development but in favor of limited development in order to save the Edwards Aquifer for all the citizens of San Antonio.

Randy Johnson
President,
San Geronimo Valley Alliance