Changes in DSISD system
Texas in middle for energy cost
Locals try to go semi-pro
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News-Dispatch Volume XXXVI No. 42
Serving Western Hays County, Texas since 1982
Thursday, July 28, 2016
City, DSISD to discuss water permit BY MOSES LEOS III
News-Dispatch Editor
Concern over Dripping Springs’ proposed discharge permit spilled over into Monday’s Dripping Springs ISD’s board meeting as residents addressed board trustees to relay possible impacts the permit
could have to the district. But as a meeting involving the city and the district looms, Dripping Springs ISD superintendent Bruce Gearing said the district will do its “due diligence” to gather all sides of the issue before crafting a re-
sponse. “We haven’t done our due diligence to make sure we understand the situation or the impact to the school district,” Gearing said. “Once we have information, we’ll formulate a response.” The
meeting, which Gearing said could take place within the next week, will include representatives from the city, Dripping Springs ISD and the Dripping Springs Water Supply Corporation (DSWSC). Gearing said the district was
WASTEWATER, 7
BY BAILEY BUCKINGHAM News-Dispatch Reporter
PERMITS, 8
Belterra Village addition approved BY SAMANTHA SMITH
News-Dispatch Reporter
With the passage of an amendment earlier this month, the Dripping Springs City Council gave the green light for a developer to begin a 90plus acre mixed-use development called Belterra Village near Belterra. Residents were concerned over the height of a hotel and senior living facility proposed to go within the development. By a unanimous vote, the Dripping Springs City Council approved an amendment allowing developer Endeavor Real Estate Group to add Belterra Village in the existing development agreement between Belterra and the city. Dripping Springs City Administrator Michelle Fischer said council approved the amendment only after it approved the total design plan and roofing design plan for the development.
Locals, council disagree on B&B permits Tears and tension resonated at Wimberley City Hall Thursday as residents and city council members discussed the fate of three Conditional Use Permit (CUP) applications relating to bed and breakfasts and vacation rental properties. While council approved only one out of three CUPs, Thursday’s meeting concluded with conversations among council members on how to alleviate the rising controversy surrounding B&Bs and vacation properties. Council member Gary Barchfeld said he hopes council can come together to educate themselves on vacation properties and B&Bs because there is high conflict and he wants to take action. “We can make this a better environment all around for everybody,” Barchfeld said Several residents spoke Thursday on each side of the argument for the CUP applications, which were presented as public hearing items. Place 1 council member Bob Dussler voted against all three CUP applications. “When a commercial business is established,
75¢
BELTERRA, 8
Holiday Inn light variance granted
Whoa, Nelly! PHOTO BY MOSES LEOS III
With a foot strategically tucked into an apparatus, a performer hangs freely off of the side of her mount as the horse gallops around the stage during a performance at the Dripping Springs Fair and Rodeo, which featured back-to-back Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) events July 22 and 23. Additional photos can be found on page 4. Browse and buy photos at bartonpublications.smugmug.com.
Wimberley putts ahead with golf cart regulations BY BAILEY BUCKINGHAM News-Dispatch Reporter
The Wimberley City Council Thursday gave the green light on new safety regulations for golf cart use in the city. Council approved the regulations by a unanimous vote during Thursday’s city council meeting. During the discussions with the council, Place 3 council member Sally Trapp reminded residents and fellow members that golf carts are already legal in the city. The ordinance is not to discourage use, but to make golf cart operation safe not only for the passengers of the cart, but for drivers in Wimberley, Trapp said. The ordinance outlines certain safety precautions golf cart drivers will be required to take in order to legally operate their neighbhorhood electric vehicle (NEV). New regulations include the operator having a driver’s li-
GOLF CARTS, 2
THOSE WHO OPERATE A GOLF CART IN WIMBERLEY MUST:
– Have a valid driver’s license. – Abide by all local and state traffic regulations. – Use standard hand signals for turning during daylight. – Not operate or park on sidewalks or hike/bike trails – Not pull any object or person with golf cart/NEV – Not exceed the seating capacity designed by the manufacturer – Remain seated at all times. Passengers can be issued a citation for not remaining in seat while vehicle is moving. – Not have or permit a passenger younger than 4-years-old. – Maintain financial responsibility as required in the Texas Transportation Code, Section 601.051 and – Not intentionally or knowingly allow an unlicensed operator to operate the vehicle in violation of this ordinance and state law.
GOLF CARTS AND NEV USE IS PERMITTED: On streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less and private/ public parking lots with the exception of the following: – Flite Acres Road from Buttercup Lane to FM 3237 – River Road from CR 1492 to western city limits – Wayside Drive from Green Acres Drive to western city limits
BY SAMANTHA SMITH
News-Dispatch Reporter
Dripping Springs gave the nod July 12 on a request from a hotelier to build a sign that exceeds current city standards. The Dripping Springs City Council approved a variance to the ordinance for the Holiday Inn, which will be constructed in the Springs Retail Center. The variance allows for a hotel sign that is 96 square feet long, but also has lighting that does not exceed 3,000 Kelvin. Dripping Springs City Administrator Michelle Fischer said the current sign ordinance in Dripping Springs allows for a maximum signage size of 64 square feet. Fischer also said the city is considering redoing its lighting ordinance as a whole to exclude signage with lighting over a 3,000 Kelvin rating in order to improve the safety and health of its residents. She said there have been scientific studies proving that signage with lighting over 3,000 Kelvin is harmful to people’s vision, as well as causing more incidents of glare for drivers. Fischer said the Holiday Inn sign lights will exude an amber hue at the lower Kelvin rating compared to brighter white lights with a higher than 3,000 Kelvin rating. The Holiday Inn is projected to be competed by June 2017.