Tiger playoff run ends short of state
Groups ask for no-discharge solution
Tiger artists move to state competition
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVII No. 22
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
75¢
Thursday, March 9, 2017
City council supports workforce housing BY MOSES LEOS III Dripping Springs city officials have thrown their support behind two potential apartment complexes that have applied for federal tax credits to help create workforce housing. Earlier this month, the Dripping Springs City Council approved resolutions in support of applications filed by the Western
Springs and Merritt Headwaters developments for low-income housing tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Both developments want to build apartment complexes within the Dripping Springs city limits. Michelle Fischer, Dripping Springs City Administrator, said the resolutions are one step toward the possibility of offering
“We hear from employers often how hard it is to find employees. It’s hard to find a place to afford here, especially if you’re an entry level worker.” – Michelle Fischer, Dripping Springs city administrator
more affordable housing options in the city. “We need both of them. We
hear from employers often how hard it is to find employees. It’s hard to find a place to afford
here, especially if you’re an entry level worker,” Fischer said. Western Springs is a proposed apartment complex that is to be two stories, which falls in line with current city ordinance. Laura Myrick, principal with BETCO Consulting, LLC, said Western Springs is a proposed 72-unit development located along U.S. 290 near city hall that
WORKFORCE HOUSING, 2
P&Z runs over food truck idea Rules
Committee action stalls possible drive thru in Dripping Springs BY MOSES LEOS III Having lived in Los Angeles for a time, business owner Juan Chan said he has been around food trucks for a “long time.” With an impending move to Dripping Springs on the horizon, Chan last year opened the LeMuse Coffee Bar food trailer in order to bring a new option to the city. But plans to implement a drive-thru for LeMuse hit a wall after the Dripping Springs Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) denied Chan’s request for a special exception from current city ordinance. Now Chan contemplates what his next move will be. But for city leaders, possible traffic concerns and the possibility of setting a precedent led them to their decision. Chan’s drive-thru is one piece of a plan to potentially create a new food truck park on roughly two acres he is leasing along U.S. Highway 290 near Mighty Tiger Lane. Chan applied for the special exception to the city’s current ordinance, which doesn’t allow mobile food vendors to have drive-thrus. Jon Thompson, who presented Chan’s item at the Feb. 28 P&Z meeting, said the drive-thru wouldn’t have a “squawk box”. Thompson said the plan was to apply for the exemption first, then a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow five food trucks to operate for more than 10 days per month, which is required per city ordinance. Chan said he planned to create a park with ethnically diverse food options. He added the reason for the drive-thru was to allow parents with children to avoid having to leave their cars, take their children out of the car and cross traffic entering the food park lot. Chan said in a later
for short term rentals? BY MOSES LEOS III
With the possibility of shortterm rentals popping up in Dripping Springs, city officials are crafting new rules regulating them. That process began earlier this month when the Dripping Springs Planning and Zoning (P&Z) commission took up an amendment to the city’s current zoning ordinance. Within the potential amendment, which was ultimately tabled for a future meeting, city officials sought to create rules for operating Short Term Rentals (STR) and establish under which zoning classification they would fall. Currently, the city’s ordi-
STRS, 7
PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
Dripping Springs business owner Juan Chan presents a cup of coffee at his food truck, which is located along U.S. Highway 290. Chan’s idea for a possible drive thru for his food truck was halted after the Dripping Springs Planning and Zoning Commission denied a special exception request.
Thompson said the plan was to apply for the exemption first, then a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow five food trucks to operate for more than 10 days per month, which is required per city ordinance. interview the drive-thru idea is something “all his customers want.” “It’s more convenient. They
have to drop off their kids. I’m in between so many different schools and daycares,” Chan said.
Chan’s food truck idea received support from Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sherrie Parks, who asked P&Z to support small businesses. Several of Chan’s customers advocated for the drive-thru. Bill Warren, owner of Pig Pen BBQ food trailer and a food park where LeMuse currently operates, said he supported Chan’s drive-thru plan if it
FOOD TRUCKS, 6
Gated homes, resort housing get OK BY MOSES LEOS III
Fast and furry-ous
Dripping Springs city leaders are moving forward toward the creation of two municipal utility districts (MUDs). Earlier this month, the Dripping Springs City Council approved a resolution consenting to the creation of the Driftwood 552 project, which is located near the FM 967 and FM 1826 intersection. City leaders also approved a resolution consenting to the creation of Vineyards 150 a proposed MUD located along FM 150 in Driftwood. Ginger Faught, Dripping Springs deputy city administrator, said the Driftwood project is creating its own district in order to have bonding powers to place infrastructure. Dripping Springs is not supplying water service to the Driftwood 552 project, but will supply treated effluent to the development, Faught said. Faught said the city has
Emily Shryock competed with her dog Morey in the intro weavers agility competition Friday, March 3 at the K-9 Xpress NADAC trial. The annual competition was held at Dripping Springs Ranch Park over the weekend. See more photos of the event online at www. HaysNewsDispatch. com. PHOTO BY LESLEY DE LEON
MUDS, 7