Ray Hernandez | 15 Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce executive director talks about the chamber’s role and city’s challenges San Marcos/Buda/Kyle edition | Volume 1, Issue 3 | July 15–Aug. 18, 2011 Texas’ fastest-growing media company www.impactnews.com Impact Deals begins on Page 21 Local news online Daily, online-exclusive community news and information Community calendar, interactive maps, newspaper archives and more Local deals online Hundreds of local and regional coupons, updated daily Just click and print coupons for free Two websites. Twice the Impact. impactnews.com impactdeals.com District boundaries need realignment to address growth City Council weighs costs of silencing trains’ horns Kyle population surge requires City Council map redistricting Buda mulls railroad quiet zones By Jaime Kilpatrick e City of Kyle has started the process of redrawing City Council district lines to maintain equal representation within its three single-member districts. “We’re going to try to make it as even as possible,” Mayor Lucy Johnson said. “It’s not fair to people who live in a district with 14,000 people to all be under one represen- tative when a few streets down there may be 4,000 people represented by one person.” e council is composed of the mayor, three members elected at-large and three elected by district. Members from districts 1, 3 and 5 are elected at-large to represent city- wide interests, and members from districts 2, 4 and 6 are elected to represent residents within their districts. Council members from the single-member districts must live within the district they represent. Population growth e current City Council district map was drawn in 2001, aſter the 2000 census determined Kyle’s population to be 5,988, or about 2,000 residents for each of the three districts. e official census count in 2010 was 28,016, increasing the number of residents per district to approximately 9,300. “I think we’re seeing the No. 1 thing is we just have more people,” Johnson said. When the districts were first drawn in See Incentives | 11 See Trains | 10 See Districts | 8 San Marcos offers home incentives City urges homeowners to ‘invest’ in properties A Union Pacific train sounds its horn as it passes through historic downtown Buda. Kyle City Council Districts by population Ashley Landis By Joe Olivieri Buda City Planner Chance Sparks does not need to see the train passing by the Annex Build- ing to be able to describe it. “at one was an Amtrak train,” he said, sitting in a windowless conference room. “You can tell from the high [pitched] whir [of its horn].” Identifying trains is a learned skill for those who live and work close to Buda’s three crossings. By law, trains must sound their horns at crossings unless the cross- ing is deemed safe enough not to need it. e Federal Railroad Adminis- tration authorizes so-called quiet zones when cities add more safety features to crossings. e admin- istration said the process has been growing in popularity nationwide since its 2005 inception. At a June Buda City Coun- cil meeting, traffic consultants described what it would take to install quiet zones at North Main Street, Peach Street and Loop 4. Some council members and residents said they enjoy or do not mind the horns—Councilman Todd Ruge called them “enchant- ing”—and questioned the merit of spending an estimated $100,000 to $400,000 per intersection to silence them. “My opinion as mayor is that quiet zones would be a nice thing to have for Buda, but it is a very expensive project,” Mayor Sarah Mangham said, echoing the coun- cil’s consensus. “I do not see that there is anything broken with the current system we have in place.” e council took no action on the presentation but will revisit the idea during closed council budget workshops on capital improve- ments in August. Buda In June 2010, Buda hired Bury Partners to prepare a Main Street traffic study that included research on railroad quiet zones. e con- sultants’ second update to council took place June 7. Cities create quiet zones by installing supplementary safety measures, such as mountable By Jaime Kilpatrick e San Marcos City Coun- cil began the 2011–12 budget process earlier this year by adopting a list of five strategic initiatives, two of which are big-picture infrastructure and community wellness geared toward strengthening the middle class. Mayor Daniel Guerrero said building up the middle class means striking a balance between residents who live in single-family housing and those who live in multifamily housing, including students and low-income residents. “[City Manager] Jim Nuse makes a comment that San Marcos is more like Oz than Kansas,” Guerrero said. “It is such a diverse community, a melting pot, and we are seek- ing to provide a wide variety of housing options to accommo- date everyone.” Home incentives In June, San Marcos entered into a six-month trial incentive discount program with local home improvement stores to encourage homeowners to invest in their property. Locally owned Tuttle Lum- ber and McCoy’s Building Centers are offering discounts with proof of a city building permit within 30 days of issue. Population Year Districts 2 4 6 1,585 4,048 10,300 12,736 1,839 1,673 Source: City of Kyle 2000 2010 3,000 0 6,000 9,000 12,000 The three single-member council districts in Kyle require redrawing due to the city’s rapid growth from 5,988 in 2000 to 28,016 in 2010. Census tract lines do not match city limit lines.
Transcript
Ray Hernandez | 15 Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce executive director talks about the
chamber’s role and city’s challenges
San Marcos/Buda/Kyle edition | Volume 1, Issue 3 | July 15–Aug. 18, 2011Texas’ fastest-growing media company www.impactnews.com Impact Deals begins on Page 21
Local news onlineDaily, online-exclusive community news and information
Community calendar, interactive maps, newspaper archives and more
Local deals onlineHundreds of local and regional
coupons, updated daily
Just click and print coupons for free
Two websites. Twice the Impact. impactnews.com impactdeals.com
District boundaries need realignment to address growth
City Council weighs costs of silencing trains’ horns
Kyle population surge requires City Council map redistricting
Buda mulls railroad quiet zones
By Jaime KilpatrickThe City of Kyle has started the process
of redrawing City Council district lines to maintain equal representation within its three single-member districts.
“We’re going to try to make it as even as possible,” Mayor Lucy Johnson said. “It’s not fair to people who live in a district with 14,000 people to all be under one represen-tative when a few streets down there may be 4,000 people represented by one person.”
The council is composed of the mayor, three members elected at-large and three elected by district. Members from districts 1, 3 and 5 are elected at-large to represent city-wide interests, and members from districts 2, 4 and 6 are elected to represent residents
within their districts. Council members from the single-member districts must live within the district they represent.
Population growthThe current City Council district map
was drawn in 2001, after the 2000 census determined Kyle’s population to be 5,988, or about 2,000 residents for each of the three districts.
The official census count in 2010 was 28,016, increasing the number of residents per district to approximately 9,300.
“I think we’re seeing the No. 1 thing is we just have more people,” Johnson said.
When the districts were first drawn in
See Incentives | 11See Trains | 10
See Districts | 8
San Marcos offers home incentivesCity urges homeowners to ‘invest’ in properties
A Union Pacific train sounds its horn as it passes through historic downtown Buda.
Kyle City Council Districts by population
Ash
ley
Lan
dis
By Joe OlivieriBuda City Planner Chance
Sparks does not need to see the train passing by the Annex Build-ing to be able to describe it.
“That one was an Amtrak train,” he said, sitting in a windowless conference room. “You can tell from the high [pitched] whir [of its horn].”
Identifying trains is a learned skill for those who live and work close to Buda’s three crossings.
By law, trains must sound their horns at crossings unless the cross-ing is deemed safe enough not to need it.
The Federal Railroad Adminis-tration authorizes so-called quiet zones when cities add more safety features to crossings. The admin-istration said the process has been
growing in popularity nationwide since its 2005 inception.
At a June Buda City Coun-cil meeting, traffic consultants described what it would take to install quiet zones at North Main Street, Peach Street and Loop 4.
Some council members and residents said they enjoy or do not mind the horns—Councilman Todd Ruge called them “enchant-ing”—and questioned the merit of spending an estimated $100,000 to $400,000 per intersection to silence them.
“My opinion as mayor is that quiet zones would be a nice thing to have for Buda, but it is a very expensive project,” Mayor Sarah Mangham said, echoing the coun-cil’s consensus. “I do not see that there is anything broken with the
current system we have in place.”The council took no action on
the presentation but will revisit the idea during closed council budget workshops on capital improve-ments in August.
BudaIn June 2010, Buda hired Bury
Partners to prepare a Main Street traffic study that included research on railroad quiet zones. The con-sultants’ second update to council took place June 7.
Cities create quiet zones by installing supplementary safety measures, such as mountable
By Jaime KilpatrickThe San Marcos City Coun-
cil began the 2011–12 budget process earlier this year by adopting a list of five strategic initiatives, two of which are big-picture infrastructure and community wellness geared toward strengthening the middle class.
Mayor Daniel Guerrero said building up the middle class means striking a balance between residents who live in single-family housing and those who live in multifamily housing, including students and low-income residents.
“[City Manager] Jim Nuse makes a comment that San Marcos is more like Oz than Kansas,” Guerrero said. “It is such a diverse community, a melting pot, and we are seek-ing to provide a wide variety of housing options to accommo-date everyone.”
Home incentivesIn June, San Marcos entered
into a six-month trial incentive discount program with local home improvement stores to encourage homeowners to invest in their property.
Locally owned Tuttle Lum-ber and McCoy’s Building Centers are offering discounts with proof of a city building permit within 30 days of issue.
Popu
latio
n
Year
Districts 2 4 6
1,58
5
4,04
8
10,3
00
12,7
36
1,83
9
1,67
3
Source: City of Kyle
2000 2010
3,000
0
6,000
9,000
12,000
The three single-member council districts in Kyle require redrawing due to the city’s rapid growth from 5,988 in 2000 to 28,016 in 2010. Census tract lines do not match city limit lines.
2 | NEWS | Community Impact Newspaper • San Marcos/Buda/Kyle Edition
impactnews.com • July 2011 | NEWS | 3
Lately I feel like I have just opened an oven door as I exit my car. The only time I choose to be outside dur-ing the work week is when the sun dips below the
horizon. It’s then that I enjoy sitting in our courtyard, listening to the soothing sounds of our wind chime and the train as it passes through town.
I’ve grown very fond of the train since having recently moved to San Marcos and cannot imagine my days void of the rattling tracks and the screeching whistle. Some-thing about the locomotive’s call makes me feel like I’ve stepped back in time.
Our lead story by Joe Olivieri discusses Buda’s proposed railroad quiet zones. While I don’t live close enough to the tracks for it to make the walls shake, many in Buda do and would like to make the whistle a memory of the past for good.
Whether you are waiting for a train to
pass or a light to change, the wait is not so painful when your mind is set on shopping or dining at your favorite local spots. This month, we are announcing the arrival of impactdeals.com. I hope you will take time to peruse the free coupons for your favorite local businesses. We at Community Impact Newspaper make it a priority to promote these businesses in our Impact Deals section of the paper, as well. We believe a customer should never pay for coupons and have made it easier than ever to support local companies.
As always, when you have story ideas, questions or comments, please reach out to me at [email protected] or 512-989-6808. I look forward to hearing from you.
Executive Editor | Cathy KincaidManaging Editor | Shannon CollettiCopy Editor | Andy ComerCreative Director | Derek SullivanAd Production Manager | Tiffany Knight
Administrative management
Chief Operating Officer | Jennifer GarrettChief Financial Officer | Darren LesmeisterBusiness Director | Misty PrattCirculation & Operations Manager | David Ludwick
About us
Community Impact Newspaper, owned by John and Jennifer Garrett, is Texas’ fastest-growing news organization. We now distribute to more than 700,000 homes and businesses in 11 markets in the Austin, Houston and the DFW metro areas.
Subscriptions
Subscriptions to our other editions are available for $3 per issue. Visit impactnews.com/subscribe.
Find online-exclusive content at impactnews.com/san-marcos-buda-kyle
Subscribe to our e-newsletter at impactnews.com/signup
12 Business Texas Old Town
Three Dudes Winery
14 Dining Nonna Gina’s Italian Restaurant
15 People Chamber of Commerce executives
16 Nonprofit CASA of Central Texas
17 History Kyle City Cemetery
18 Real Estate
News
Features
Follow us on Twitter @impactnews_sbk
Find us on Facebook at impactnews.com/facebook-sbk
Who We Are
What is Community Impact Newspaper?Publisher John Garrett began Community Impact Newspaper in 2005 after realizing the need for news with a hyperlocal focus in the North Austin/Round Rock area. It has grown to include eight editions in Central Texas, two in Northwest Houston and one in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Now this same intelligent and nonbiased coverage is being distributed to residents in San Marcos, Buda and Kyle.
Why is it free?Readers will not be billed because the paper is ad-supported. Editorial content is never paid for and has a journalistic integrity uncommon for a free publication.
Who gets it?The paper is mailed monthly to all homes and businesses in the coverage area. Copies are available at chambers of commerce, the Community Impact Newspaper office in Pflugerville and online at www.impactnews.com.
183
183
183
45TOLL
1TOLL
130TOLL
130TOLL
183ATOLL
290
290
79
MoPac
360
620
21
71
71
620
29
95
35
35
35
78610
78640
78666
Local jobsPost your resume and search for local jobs at impactnews.jobing.com.
May employment trends
Central Texas unemployment—6.7%Up from 6.5% in April
State unemployment—8.0%*No change from April
National unemployment—9.1%*Up from 9.0%* in April
In Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, the leisure and hospitality sector added 1,500 jobs. Mining, logging and construction increased by 1,200 jobs. Professional and business services added 900 jobs. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas Workforce Commission*Seasonally adjusted numbers
On Page 1, the City of San Marcos estimated its 2010 population to be 53,023.
On Page 5, the phone number for Elite Education is 295-3670.
On Page 17, Garison Filling Station was mis-spelled. The building houses the Hays Free Press, Sue Ellen’s Florist and Old Main Street Station.
May 2011 edition
On Page 4, the phone number for Hands On Healing is 796-6399 and the address is 3601 Kyle Crossing, Kyle.
Corrections – June 2011 edition
Better People. Better Jobs. Better Period.
An award winning staf� ng � rm since 1993. View our job board for current openings or call
512-392-2323
prioritypersonnel.comEqual Opportunity Employer
Skilled temporary & long-term employment opportunities. Light Industrial, Of� ce/Clerical, Technical, Professional and Retail.
4 | NEWS | Community Impact Newspaper • San Marcos/Buda/Kyle Edition
IMPACTS
stop shop for first-year student advising, goal setting and career planning. It will open for student use for the spring 2013 semester and will be in the Undergraduate Academic Center adjacent to Evans Liberal Arts building on Guadalupe Street. 245-2111, www.pace.txstate.edu
San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District was awarded a grant of $4,000 from the Texas Association of School Boards’ Risk Management Fund. The money will be used to educate employees on fall prevention, personal lifting devices and personal protective equipment, among other safety issues. This award is part of $550,000 in grants given to 211 Texas school districts and educational entities. 393-6700, www.smcisd.net
San Marcos High School Dean of College and Career Readiness Charlene Aguayo was appointed to be an education representative to the Rural Capital Area Workforce Development Board by the Texas Workforce Commission on behalf of Gov. Rick Perry. Aguayo attended her first meeting as a representative June 15 in Round Rock. 393-6800, www.smcisd.net
11 A new residence hall, the North Campus Housing Complex, will open to incoming Texas State University-San Marcos first-year students for the fall 2012 semester. The dorm is located next to the LBJ Student Center at 109 Student Center Drive and will house 612 beds and include study lounges on every floor. 245-2111, www.txstate.edu
Anniversary
12 Total Child Therapy Center celebrated its one-year anniversary in June. Co-owners Emylie Shinto and Karen Rattcliff said the center provide physical, occupational and speech therapies for children, along with counseling. Parent education nights led by therapy staff and counseling address topics of interest. 401 S. Old Hwy 81, Kyle, 504-3035, www.totalchildtherapy.com
Name Change
13 Buda/Kyle Real Estate, owned by Chris Dunkin, is now Star Tex Real Estate. The company has expanded its residential real estate services beyond Buda and Kyle. The company offers residential and commerical sales, leasing and property management. 251 N. FM 1626, Ste. 2A, Buda. 295-1150, www.startexrealestate.com
Community Service
The Seeking Opportunities, Achieving Results program is conducting its annual Early Readers Become Leaders book drive throughout July. The goal is to collect 14,000 books in English and Spanish for children in preschool to age 6 to be
Now Open
1 Athletic footwear and apparel company Saucony opened a store in June at Premium Outlets, 3939 S. I-35, Ste. 930, which offers running products for men, women and children. 392-6253, www.saucony.com
2 Sperry Top-Sider is now open at Premium Outlets, 3939 S. I-35, Ste. 930. Sperry Top-Sider is the maker of the original boat shoe and sells nautically inspired shoes, clothing and accessories. 392-6210, www.sperrytopsider.com
3 Vince Camuto opened a location in April at Premium Outlets. The retailer sells women’s shoes and accessories including casual and dress footwear and handbags. 3939 S. I-35, Ste. 214A, 392-5106, www.vincecamuto.com
4 Owner Charles Winson opened the third Cafe Monet studio in Central Texas at 1820 Redwood Road in San Marcos on July 1. There are two locations in Austin, and this location will offer visitors the opportunity to paint ceramics at outlet
prices. The San Marcos location will offer 20 percent off pottery during July and will continue to offer monthly promotional discounts. Free Wi-Fi, private studio rental and birthday parties are available. 638-1645, www.cafemonet.org
5 Advanced Mobility Systems of Texas opened in June at 239 Commercial Drive, Buda. Owners Guy and Brenda Tucker also have locations in Fort Worth and Mesquite. The mobility product dealership offers accessible vehicles and mobility aids for people with disabilities. 295-3800, www.advancedmobility.net
6 Bright Life Family Chiropractic opened in May at 251 N. FM 1626, Ste. 1B, Buda. Drs. Andrew Gessert and Tami Howard provide family chiropractic care. 295-0150, www.brightlifefamilychiro.com
Coming Soon
7 Kelly Meyer will open Anytime Fitness in Buda at 909 N. Loop 4 in September and will be pre-selling memberships in July. The fitness center is a 24-hour, co-ed facility and is independently owned and
8 Railyard Bar and Grill, 116 S. Edward Gary St., San Marcos, will open in August. Owner Robert Hageman said the location will have a covered patio, beer garden and yard. It will also feature live music and will cater to local residents and college students. 789-7050
Relocation
9 Learning Squared moved from 1762 FM 967, Ste. B, to 1115 Main St., Buda. Owners Jeanette Dobson and Shelly Berryhill provide tutoring to children from kindergarten to high school on subjects such as reading, writing, math, and ACT and SAT prep. 295-3355, www.learningsq.com
School Notes
10 Texas State University-San Marcos’ Personalized Academic and Career Exploration Center is under construction and expected to be completed in late 2012. The PACE Center is devised to be a one-
San Marcos
Buda
CR 270
CR 126
CR 131
Rohde Rd.
S. Lo
op 4
Goforth Rd.
Bebee Rd.
Old Kyle Rd.
CR 127
CR 151
CR 152
CR 266
CR
140
Sta
te P
ark
Rd.
Hunte
r Rd.
Hopkin
s St.
Watson Ln W
E. McCarty Ln.
Wonder World Dr.
Airport H
wy. 21
Silent Valley R
d.
183
45TOLL
1102
2439
3407
3237
2770
1626
1978
1979
1984
1966
2720
2001
2001
2001
1327
142
123
621
150
130
150967
621
12
80
21
21
20
35
35
Old
Bas
trop
Rd.
San Marcos H
wy.
CR
136
Old
Sta
geco
ach
Rd.
Kyle
Elder Hill Rd.
Jack
C. H
ays
Trai
l
Windy Hill R
d.
N. C
olo
rad
o S
t.Map not to scale
CR
118
7
Main St.
Santa Fe Run
Po
st R
d.
4
CR 270
CR 266
CR
140
Guad
alupe S
t.
Watson
Ln W
E McCarty
Ln.
Airport
Hwy 21
2439
3407
1978
1979
123
621
621
12
80
35
CR
136
Old
Sta
geco
ach
Rd.
N. Guadalupe St.
Hopkins St.
Aquarena Springs Dr.
N. LB
J Dr.
W. San Antonio St.
35S. Edward Gary St.
808S. C.M. Allen
Pkwy.
Centerpoint Rd.
21 3Redwood Rd.
Commercial Dr.
5
9
10
Moore St.
Comanche St.Student Center Dr.
11
12Old Hwy. 81
6 13
impactnews.com • July 2011 | NEWS | 5
distributed to families this summer. Book donation barrels are at locations throughout San Marcos. A list of barrel locations is available on the SOAR website. SOAR is a collaboration of San Marcos educational partners. www.soarsanmarcos.com
In the News
Hays County Commissioners Court approved a resolution in June supporting the development of a model for a single, county-wide 911 dispatch Public Safety Answering Point to streamline emergency communications. PSAP Manager Erica Carpenter said the proposed co-located operations facility would provide more coordination and collaboration among 911 call-takers, dispatchers and responders, leading to faster, more reliable emergency response service. Carpenter said only the Sheriff’s Office and San Marcos Police Department dispatch fire and EMS, and calls that come in to Kyle and Texas State University police departments must be transferred to one of the dispatch centers, which can result in delays, dropped calls and confusion about which service is responding. The operations committee, composed of county entities that take calls, dispatch and respond, will investigate a location and design for the facility. www.co.hays.tx.us
Hays County sent applications for 15 road safety and mobility projects to the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization in hopes of receiving a share of more than $74 million in federal funds. CAMPO will be passing on the money from the Federal Highway Administration to Central Texas counties and is expected to decide on the projects by late summer, with funding available at the start of fiscal year 2012. The projects include 10 involving state highways applied for in conjunction with Texas Department of Transportation and five that will improve county roads. www.co.hays.tx.us
San Marcos CISD officials received a grant from the Texas Association of School Boards.
Charles Winson opened Cafe Monet in San Marcos in July. This is the store’s third location.
Jeanette Dobson and Shelly Berryhill relocated Learning Squared in Buda to Main Street.
San Marcos City Clerk Jamie Pettijohn and Mayor Daniel Guerrero donate to the SOAR book drive.
News or questions about San Marcos, Buda or Kyle?E-mail [email protected].
9
4
Jaim
e K
ilpat
rick
Co
urte
sy S
MC
ISD
Co
urte
sy L
earn
ing
Sq
uare
dJa
ime
Kilp
atri
ckC
our
tesy
Cit
y o
f San
Mar
cos
Emylie Shinto (pictured) and Karen Ratcliff opened Total Child Therapy Center in Kyle in June 2010. The center provides comprehensive therapy and counseling services to clients up to 21 years of age.
12
Co
urte
sy L
ady
Bir
d J
ohn
son
Wild
flow
er C
ente
r
Compiled by Rikki SaldivarCALENDAR
child’s unique abilities. Campers experience art, music, crafts and sensory and motor training activities. • Crockett Elementary School • 1300 Girard St., San Marcos 245-8259 • [email protected] www.hhp.txstate.edu/Autism-Camp.html
29 Dive-in movieKyle Parks and Recreation presents “Despicable Me” at Kyle Pool. All regular pool rules apply. Small floats are allowed if there is space, and a maximum capacity of 250 will be enforced. Gates open at 8:30 p.m. • $4 for residents outside of city limits; $3 (adults), $2 (teens), $1 (ages 4–12 and ages 55 and older), ages 3 and younger free Gregg-Clarke Park, 1100 W. Center St., Kyle 262-3939 • www.cityofkyle.com
August4 Pack It Up & Pass It On Shopping DayThe Texas State University Office of Community Relations is hosting a day for clients of United Way of Hays County to “shop” through donated items from residence hall students. Volunteers are welcomed for sorting. To volunteer, contact Ivana Flowers, 245-9645, [email protected] • 7–11 a.m. Free • LBJ Student and Visitor Center 109 Student Center Drive, San Marcos
16 Houston HotspotsTake a charter bus to tour Houston attractions: Rice Village, the Galleria, Medical Center and more. Dine for lunch at Cleburne’s Cafeteria. Registration takes place until Aug. 8. Fees include round-trip transportation and meal. 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. • 18 and older • $40 San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos • 393-8280
July16 Texas Outlaw Bull BashThe Cotton Gin event center invites guests to a day filled with live music from nine bands, professional bull riding, a volleyball tournament, a Western gun fight, fajita cook-off and carnival. The event is sponsored by Lone Star and Shiner Bock Beers. • The Cotton Gin • 10 a.m. • $15 (children 10 and younger free) • 441 Railroad St., Maxwell 830-352-9292 • www.thecottongin.net
21 Dinosaur George“Dinosaur George” Blasing speaks at the Buda Public Library about dinosaurs and other extinct creatures. Blasing is a self-taught paleontologist and animal behaviorist of 35 years and has appeared on numerous television and radio shows. He co-created “Jurassic Fight Club,” a 12-part series on the History Channel. • 2–3 p.m. • Free 303 Main St., Buda • 295-5899 www.budalibrary.org
Worth the Trip
24 Lady Bird Johnson Tribute DayLady Bird Johnson’s work to protect our nation’s natural treasures will be honored at the Wildflower Center with free admission and a special exhibit of her memorabilia. The former first lady contributed to environmental conservation, preservation and beautification. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center 9 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. • Free • 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin • 232-0100 • www.wildflower.org
25–28 Annual Autism Summer CampThe Texas State Department of Health and Human Performance, the Clinic for Autism Research, Evaluation and Support and San Marcos CISD offer participants a summer camp experience while tending to the autistic
Sponsored by
Find more or submit San Marcos, Buda and Kyle events at www.impactnews.com/san-marcos-buda-kyle/calendar.
For a full list of Central Texas events, visit www.impactnews.com/austin-metro/calendar.
To have San Marcos, Buda and Kyle events included in the print edition, they must be submitted online by the fourth Friday of the month.
Online Calendar
July 24By Jaime Kilpatrick
Central Texas Medical Center in San Marcos hosts the second annual Baby Fest for expectant and potential mothers. Attendees will meet representatives from Hays County organizations and companies that provide services and products for moms and babies.
The event features door prizes, tours of CTMC’s Women’s Center and more than 30 businesses and organizations providing information and services for babies, parents and families. Event highlights include baby boutiques, eco-friendly products, vaccine information, nutritional options for moms and babies, CTMC physicians and more.
Visit www.ctmc.org or call 753-3818 for more information.
1–4 p.m. • Free • Central Texas Medical Center Women’s Center and Main Lobby, 1301 Wonder World Drive, San Marcos
Co
urte
sy C
TM
C
More than 400 new moms, moms-to-be and their families attended CTMC’s 2010 Baby Fest.
Baby Fest
6 | NEWS | Community Impact Newspaper • San Marcos/Buda/Kyle Edition
CITY AND COUNTY Compiled by Jaime Kilpatrick
LCRA appoints new general manager Rebecca Motal
Lower Colorado River Authority board of directors voted in June to appoint Rebecca Motal as the new general man-ager, replacing Tom Maston, who resigned as of July 1.
Motal is the first female general manager of the 76-year-old LCRA and is being pro-moted from her position as executive manager of external affairs.
Board Chairman Tim Timmer-man said the board did not
SMCISD increases meal prices School meal prices in San Marcos
Consolidated Independent School District increased 5 cents as of July 1.
Mike Boone, SMCISD associate director of child nutrition, said the mandatory price increase is required by the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act.
“We wish that we didn’t have to increase the price for paying students and hope that this doesn’t affect the participation in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program,” Boone said.
He said to comply with the legislation, the district will have to gradually increase prices annually until the paid student meal price equals what the school district receives from the U.S. Department of Agri-culture for a free, qualified student meal,
San MarcosKyle
Hays County
Buda
City considers speed humps policyKyle City Council discussed a proposed
policy in June that would allow residents to request speed humps to be installed on residential streets. The traffic-calming devices are primarily used on residential streets with a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour.
City Manager Lanny Lambert said the issue arose after residents voiced concerns about drivers speeding in residential areas near schools.
He said in order for a resident to request installation of the speed humps, they would have to submit a petition signed by at least 80 percent of the resi-dents on both sides of the street for the block where the speed hump would be located.
New traffic light for Main Street Buda is moving forward with the
installation of a traffic light at the heav-ily traveled intersection of Main Street and Bradfield Drive after hearing an update on the proposed project at the June 7 City Council meeting.
The city hired traffic consultant company Bury Partners in June 2010 to conduct a traffic study to determine if the intersection warranted a traffic signal by analyzing the traffic on Main Street from Cabelas Drive to the rail-road tracks near Railroad Street.
Alex Reyna and Bobak Tehrany, engineers with Bury Partners, said they determined the traffic counts do warrant a signal and are now moving
which is currently $2.74. Boone said five cents is the minimum
amount required to increase the meals.The cost for reduced-price breakfast and
lunch will remain the same. The full price for breakfast for elemen-
tary, middle and high school students increased from 95 cents to $1, and the price for an adult’s breakfast increased from $1.25 to $1.30. Reduced prices for breakfast for students will remain at 30 cents.
The full price for lunch for elementary students was raised from $1.75 to $1.80 and increased from $2 to $2.05 for middle and high school students. Reduced prices for student lunches will remain at 40 cents.
Teacher and staff lunches increased from $2.50 to $2.55, and lunches for visitors increased from $2.75 to $2.80.
Buda City Council121 Main St.312-0084www.ci.buda.tx.us
Meets the first and third Tuesday on each month at 7 p.m.
Kyle City Council100 W. Center St.262-1010www.cityofkyle.com
Meets the first and third Tuesday on each month at 7 p.m.
San Marcos City Council630 E. Hopkins St.393-8000www.sanmarcostx.gov
Meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
Hays County Commissioners Court111 E. San Antonio St.393-7730 www.co.hays.tx.us
Meets each Tuesday at 9 a.m.
Meetings
forward with the design phase, which will take about four months for design, review and approval. The design would include all vehicular and pedestrian traf-fic control devices including crosswalks, sidewalks, lights and signage.
Construction of the proposed proj-ect would cost $150,000 and would be included in the 2011–12 Capital Improvements Plan program.
Programming and operation of the new signal will accommodate peak- hour traffic and special events.
Reyna said the new signal will increase safety for traffic entering and exiting the Bradfield subdivision by way of Bradfield Drive and to and from Santa Cruz Catholic Church on Main Street.
Jaim
e K
ilpat
rick
The LBJ Museum will have expanded exhibit and archive space when renovations are completed.
Estimated costs for the speed humps range from $1,650 to $4,950 plus labor, depending on the plan the city adopts.
Lambert said there is currently no city funding budgeted for speed humps so they would be paid for by homeowners associations or residents requesting them.
expand the search beyond Motal. “Becky Motal has a thorough under-
standing of a very complex organization, solid relationships with appointed and elected leaders from across our region and a true passion for public service,” he said.
LCRA provides utilities services in Cen-tral Texas, including wastewater services in northern Hays County.
LBJ Museum renovations continueHays County awarded a contract to
Houston-based Solidarity Construction for renovations at the LBJ Museum, 131 N. Guadalupe St., San Marcos.
The total estimated cost for the project is $238,000, and the total time of construc-tion is estimated at 75 days.
The museum is housed in a two-story building owned by the county on the downtown Square.
Museum Director Bill Cunningham said construction should begin in July, and Rebecca Motal, LCRA’s new GM
plans for the museum include renovat-ing the second floor to feature exhibit and meeting space, installing an elevator and creating archive storage and curating space on the first floor. He said the meet-ing space will be open to the public.
“We’ll make it available to community groups because there’s always a shortage of meeting space in town,” he said. “It’ll be a community center for all of the people of San Marcos.”
Co
urte
sy S
MC
ISD
SMCISD increased the price for school meals by 5 cents to comply with federal legislation. The increase includes breakfast and lunch for students, staff and visitors. Reduced-price meals will remain the same.
Co
urte
sy C
ity
of K
yle
Residential streets in Kyle may see speed humps with a new policy.
impactnews.com • July 2011 | NEWS | 7
TRANSPORTATION
By Hollie O’Connor
The Texas Department of Transporta-tion is in the midst of making improve-ments to I-35 and Main Street in Buda.
Don Nyland, engineer for TxDOT’s south Travis County area, said the con-struction replaced the old I-35 bridge that passes over Main Street with a taller and wider structure. The project allows for the future expansion of I-35, Nyland said.
Additionally, Main Street is being widened to four lanes, two eastbound and two westbound, that will extend to Old San Antonio Road. North-to-south and south- to-north U-turns that take drivers under the new bridge are also being added to the frontage roads.
Work on the bridge began in Novem-ber 2009 and is on track to be completed by December of this year, Nyland said. TxDOT closed Main Street between the two frontage roads from April through July to complete work under the bridge.
Nyland said the cost of the project is just under $9 million. Funding was provided by TxDOT, the City of Buda and federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The City of Buda’s portion of the fund-ing totaled about $1.7 million and went mainly to aesthetics, such as the stonework
Main Street sees repairs in Buda
and lighting on Main Street, City Manager Kenneth Williams said.
“Main Street will look much better aesthetically as a result of this project,” Williams said. “The bridges will look much better with improved design standards that take into account stonework that matches the surroundings.”
Williams said Buda’s recent population boom —and subsequent increase in traffic to and from the city—led officials to make the highway renovations a priority.
The 2010 census put Buda’s population at 7,295—a more than 200 percent increase from its 2000 population of 2,404.
“Transportation plans and congestion have been identified as one of the top priorities in the almost completed Com-prehensive Plan for the City of Buda,” Williams said.
“The improvement of this major inter-section will improve traffic flows in east-west traffic,” he said, along with improving traffic flows entering and exiting I-35.
The city posts regular updates related to the Main Street construction on its website at www.ci.buda.tx.us/ih-35-main-street-construction-updates. The updates include lane closure and detour notifications and project maps.
Jaim
e K
ilpat
rick
I-35 at Main Street project layout
35
Main St.
Old San Antonio Road
Northbound frontage road
North-to-south U-turn
South-to-north U-turn
Southbound frontage road
TxDOT officials expect construction on Main Street at I-35 in Buda to be finished by December.
Under construction
Existing roads
Main Street will be widened to four lanes and U-turns will be added to the frontage roads along I-35.
Family MedicinePediatrics
Dental CareBehavioral Health Counseling
Services O�ered:
High Quality and A�ordable Health Care Near You!
CommuniCare Health CentersKyle
2810 Dacy Lane512.268.8900
CommuniCare Health CentersSan Marcos
1340 Wonder World Drive, # 4201512.392.1718* Excludes Dental
Private Insurance, Medicaid, and Self-Pay Patients Welcome!www.communicaretx.org
- NEW state of the Art Facility - Expert 24/hr Nursing Care- Clean Spacious Rooms - Advanced Therapy Program- Large Therapy Gym- Short or Long Term Stays- Generations Unit
Most Major Insurances Accepted • Medicare • Medicaid • Medicaid Pending
Private Pay
9801 S First St. | Austin, TX 78748
Source: TxDOT Map not to scale
8 | NEWS | Community Impact Newspaper • San Marcos/Buda/Kyle Edition
DistrictsContinued from | 1
2001, District 2 had 1,585 residents, Dis-trict 4 had 1,839 residents and District 6 had 1,673.
With the 2010 census results, the three districts are now uneven, with 4,048 resi-dents in District 2, 10,300 in District 4 and District 6 as now the largest with 12,736.
Steve Clamons, Kyle geographic infor-mation systems analyst, said he will be drawing the proposed new district maps based on several changes in city demo-graphics and size.
“The population has shifted and different pieces of land were annexed, and now it has gotten skewed,” Clamons said.
Since 2001, most of the growth has been on the east side of the city with the annexa-tion of several subdivisions, including Waterleaf and Post Oak off of FM 150.
In the past, rather than updating the council district regulations every time land was annexed into city limits, Clamons said, the city included the council district in the property’s annexation ordinance.
“They put it in whatever district it was adjacent to at the time,” Clamons said.
Clamons said this has caused populations in the districts to become uneven, and the goal is to reorganize the voting districts to relatively equal numbers to ensure equal representation.
“We want to make sure the demographics match the overall city because the popula-tion has grown in some spots, and we want to make sure they are represented,” he said.
Redistricting criteriaCouncil members approved a resolution
at a June 21 meeting adopting criteria for the redistricting process.
City Manager Lanny Lambert said Kyle has several goals to reach and legal crite-ria to adhere to during the redistricting process.
According to the resolution, the geo-graphic boundaries should be easy to iden-tify and follow whenever possible. The current district map is divided along iden-tifiable landmarks such as city streets and railroad tracks.
In the new map, communities of
interest, such as subdivisions and neigh-borhoods, will be kept within a single district when possible. The resolution also calls for the new plan to be based on existing districts and for the new council districts to be compact and composed of contiguous territory.
“They aren’t going to be major changes,”
Lambert said. “We’ll try to make as minimal changes as possible.”
Voting Rights Act One of the legal considerations when
redrawing the district lines is ensuring that the population is equally represented among the districts.
Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits discriminating against racial or language minorities when redistricting.
Johnson said the city has seen an increase in the Hispanic population in the past 10 years, but the majority of the population has been Hispanic for several years.
“The goal is to keep historically minority districts in tact and try not to split them up, but if you look at the older neighborhoods and on the south side, I don’t think we’re at risk in this redistricting of breaking up the historically minority neighborhoods,” she said.
In addition, under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, state jurisdictions must receive clearance from the U.S. Department of Jus-tice when any changes are proposed in vot-ing districts. Kyle will be required to seek approval of the plan from the DOJ before the city can approve it.
Redistricting processThe City Council discussed the issue at its
July 5 meeting and determined the process moving forward.
They unanimously appointed a seven-member standing committee that will make recommendations on how to move forward with redistricting.
Lambert said the committee will be required to adhere to Open Meetings Act guidelines including posting notices of its meetings 72 hours in advance.
Lambert said the city is required to hold a public hearing to receive feedback before the proposed plans are developed and to hold at least two public hearings when the final plans have been developed.
Clamons said the city staff will create a few proposed maps and then conduct the public hearings so residents can offer feed-back. They will take the public input into consideration when drawing the final map, and then the DOJ will review the map, he said. Once the new map receives approval from the DOJ, the City Council will vote to approve it.
The district map is available on the city’s website at www.cityofkyle.com/council/vot-ing-districts-map.
District 2
District 4
District 6
C.R. 210
Dry
Hol
e R
d.
C.R. 131
Bebee Rd.
1626
2770
Jack
C. H
ays
Trai
l
Kohlers Crossing
150
Lehm
an R
d.
Gofor
th R
d.
Bunton Ln.
150
C.R. 158
Post
Rd.
Roland Ln.
Old
Sta
geco
ach
Rd.
35
Amberwood
Indian Paintbrush
Bluebonnet Estates
Kensington Trails
Steeplechase
Southlake Ranch
Prairie on the Creek
The Trails
Four Seasons Waterleaf Creek
Springbranch
Plum Creek
Hometown Kyle
Silverado
Old Town Kyle
Post Oak
Waterleaf
Sunset Ridge
Brookside Estates
W. Center St.
Map not to scale
Comment at more.impactnews.com/13603
Kyle’s current single-member City Council districts
Source: City of Kyle
impactnews.com • July 2011 | NEWS | 9
• D • N A H T• CO F L R• B J L F T• ML P™• BOTOX® C
D L C S
W W D, S
(B , F)
S M, TX
A K, TX
() -
.. | ..
Dr. Rodriguez is a board certi� ed dermatologist; owner and medical director of the Dermatology Laser Center & Spa. She opened the center in 1987 a� er completing her active duty tour as a Major in the US. Air Force, serving as a � ight surgeon and dermatologist.
A R, M.D
Central Texas Medical Center
Wonder W
orld Dr.G
uada
lupe
St.
Sadler Dr.
ASK ABOUT OUR FREE COSMETICCONSULTATIONS IN OUR
• Laser Hair Removal• FotoFacial RF™• XpresSmile• Microdermabrasion• Chemical Peels
10 | NEWS | Community Impact Newspaper • San Marcos/Buda/Kyle Edition
TrainsContinued from | 1
Main Street crossing
Peach Street crossing
Loop 4 crossing
Main St.
Mai
n St
.
Mai
n St
.
Goforth Rd.
S. Loop 4
Houston St.
Rai
lroad
St.
Peach St.
San Antonio St.
Gar
ison
Rd.
Rai
lroad
St.
Ced
ar S
t.
medians with slender reflective orange cones or quadrant gates. This prevents people from crossing or going around the railway gates, Assistant City Manager Brian LaBorde said.
Warren Ketteman, executive director of the Buda Economic Development Corpo-ration, said it would be difficult to install a quiet zone at North Main Street’s five-way intersection.
“What would you do, install gates [at each part of the intersection]?” he asked.
LaBorde said a preliminary design would turn Garison Road and San Antonio and Railroad streets into one-way roads at North Main Street.
The consultants said the raised medi-ans may cost $100,000 per intersection and quadrant gates may cost $400,000 per intersection.
Creating a quiet zone would require Buda to coordinate with the FRA and Union Pacific Corporation before, during and after improvements are built.
City staff estimated the total quiet zone crossing design would cost about $200,000.
HistoryBuda’s railroad tracks predate the city;
Buda was established in 1881 when Cornelia Trimble donated land near a railroad depot, according to the city’s website.
“Steam locomotives, from the begin-ning, had whistles and bells to warn the public,” Raquel Espinoza-Williams, Union Pacific corporate relations and media direc-tor, wrote in a statement. “I think railroads sounded the whistles before it was a federal requirement.”
According to the FRA’s website, “In 1994, Congress mandated that the FRA issue a federal regulation requiring the sounding of locomotive horns or whistles at all public highway-rail grade crossings and to provide for exceptions to that requirement by allow-ing communities to establish ‘quiet zones.’”
In 2005, the FRA ruled that a crossing must not “present a significant risk with respect to the loss of life or serious personal injury” or must be sufficiently safe to com-pensate for the horn’s absence.
Since the ruling, quiet zones have become increasingly popular, according to the FRA.
Quiet zones in other cities Farther down the tracks, Cedar Park and
Leander have installed quiet zones. Lean-der Mayor John Cowman said the city has installed them at Crystal Falls Parkway and FM 2243 so far. A third quiet zone may be operational within 75 days.
“The rail has been going through Leander for 110, 120 years now,” he said. “Subdivi-sions built up around the rail and citizens started complaining about the trains blow-ing the horn for safety at 4 a.m.”
He said the complaints have stopped since the city built the quiet zones. The quiet zones were part of roughly $250,000 the city recently spent on safety measures, Cowman said.
San Marcos Mayor Daniel Guerrero said the city plans to install quiet zones.
“We have concurrent plans set up with the Union Pacific railroad. The project has been funded and it looks like we’re planning to start construction in mid-2012,” he said. “We’re finalizing the project limits currently, and it may cost $600,000.”
Local reactions“Union Pacific does not endorse quiet
zones; however, we do cooperate with com-munities interested in implementing quiet zones and comply with all federal laws,” Espinoza-Williams wrote.
Buda Area Chamber of Commerce Presi-dent Dick Schneider said he has not heard any complaints from the business commu-nity, including businesses with offices near the tracks along Railroad Street.
“They just say, ‘I have to quit talking when the train goes by,’” he said. “If I had my dru-thers, I would personally wish there was a quiet zone, but based on the discussions
about how much it would cost to do it, I find that it’s probably something the city would never consider.”
Buda Grocery and Grill co-owner Anthony Uresti said he did not consider the horn to be a nuisance.
“It’s soothing to hear the horn. It doesn’t bother me,” he said, adding, “Sometimes, kids and families watch the trains go by.”
Ramona Trevino, owner-operator of Genesis Hair Salon, said the train horns are “super loud” and that the noise “does not have anywhere to go.”
Ketteman said newer residents find the horn annoying but most people grow accus-tomed to it.
“You get to where you don’t pay attention to it, and it would almost be weird if it was not there,” he said.
Comment at more.impactnews.com/13602
Proposed curb
Traffic separators
R.R. crossing arm
Some Central Texas cities have installed quiet zones with enhanced safety features such as traffic separators and crossing arms, eliminating the need for the trains to sound their horns when passing through crossings. The three maps to the right show railroad crossings in Buda where quiet zones are proposed.
Sunday, July 24 1-4 p.m. CTMC Women’s Center
in San Marcos
Baby FestCTM
C
Source: City of Buda
Proposed quiet zone elements Traffic separators Proposed curb R.R. crossing arm
impactnews.com • July 2011 | NEWS | 11
IncentivesContinued from | 1
Incentives for San Marcos home buyers The city offers zero-interest loans that are forgivable after five years for homebuyers who meet certain eligibility requirements.
$5,000 at 0% forgivable loan
$5,000 at 0% forgivable loan
$8,000 at 0% forgivable loan
First-time home buyers (city budget of $110,000)
Seton Medical Center-Hays employees (city budget of $50,000)
Texas State professors (city budget of $100,000)
Source: City of San Marcos *Statistic thus far for 2011
Number of loans given per year
Number of loans given per year
Number of loans given per year
2009
0
2009
14
2009
2
2010
2
2010
6
2010
10
2011*
0
2011*
5
2011*
6
up to
Comment at more.impactnews.com/13604
Melissa Millecam, San Marcos communications director, said residents living within the city limits who get permits from the city to complete certain home improvement projects will receive discounts on the purchase of materials for those projects at the the participating home improve-ment stores.
Both retailers are headquar-tered in San Marcos, and they said that helping participate in improving the city is important.
“San Marcos is our home, and we want to do what we can to encourage it to grow and improve,” said Sarah Lohn, McCoy’s spokeswoman. “We’re excited to be partnering with the city to help stimulate building and remodeling in the area.”
Permits are required for people living within the city limits for projects including building, elec-trical, mechanical (heating and air conditioning), plumbing and irrigation, roofing, using gray water, property on the floodplain, constructing temporary struc-tures and moving mobile homes.
The city also requires residents living outside of city limits who
receive city utility services to have permits for irrigation, plumbing and electrical projects, and they will also be able to participate in the program.
“I think it’s a sense of taking ownership of your property,” Guerrero said. “It’s small, but it’s local businesses saying, ‘We’re willing to make this investment if homeowners in town are willing to do the same.’”
Development agreements San Marcos also offers incen-
tives in the form of forgivable loans to encourage potential homebuyers to purchase in the city. The homeowner is not required to repay a forgivable loan as long as they maintain eligibil-ity for the duration of the loan. Qualifying for the loans depends on the prospective buyer’s house-hold income, credit approval and an application process, among other criteria.
“They are all formulated as a five-year forgivable loan,” said Janis Hendrix, community ini-tiative administrator who over-sees the incentive programs for the Development Services Department.
An incentive for first-time homebuyers offers forgivable
loans of up to $8,000 to applicants who meet certain criteria.
San Marcos partnered with two large local employers to offer incentives for people buying homes in the city limits who meet certain criteria.
When Seton Medical Center-Hays opened in Kyle in October 2009, San Marcos entered into an agreement with the hospital to encourage employees to buy homes in San Marcos.
The city budgeted for 10 loans of $5,000 to eligible Seton employ-ees each year since the initial agreement.
Also, in October 2009, the city partnered with Texas State Uni-versity-San Marcos to provide incentives for eligible employees purchasing a home in city limits.
A total of 20 loans of $5,000 were made available annually for tenured, tenure-track and research professors employed at Texas State.
Guerrero said incentives such as these encourage people to own homes in the community.
“It’s the American dream of being able to own property and buy your own home,” Guerrero said. “It gives us something to work toward.”
Progress Participation has been relatively
low in the employer-city home-buyer incentives, but Hendrix said this may be because potential buyers are waiting for the housing market to improve.
The city has granted only two loans to employees of Seton-Hays since 2009 out of the 10 that are budgeted annually.
Hendrix said the city ran out of funds for Texas State profes-sors when the program was first implemented in 2009, so the city budgeted for more the following year and now allows for 20. Four-teen loans were given to Texas
State professors in 2009, then only six in 2010 and five so far in 2011.
First-time homebuyers applied for and received two loans in 2009, then 10 in 2009 and six so far in 2011.
Even though they do not dis-perse all of the loans each year, Hendrix said she believes the pro-grams have been successful so far.
“I’ve had so many people tell me that without the loan or grant we provided, they wouldn’t have been able to afford their homes,” she said.
Monday - Sunday 10am to 8pm www.WazoosPartyAustin.com • (512)282-JUMP(5867)
8816 Cullen Ln, Austin 78748
Come check out our inflatable
playscapes and
get $2 OFF with this ad!
15,000 SQUARE FEET OF FUN!• HUGE Inflatables • Party Rooms
• Food Court • Free WiFi• Great place for group trips and parties!
ARE YOU READY TO TAKE YOURBUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
5.25%*SEE US FOR A COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOAN.
7 YEAR FIXED RATE
20 Year Amortization • No Prepayment Penalty
Call Jim Howey (ext. 7317) or Jim Greenwood (ext. 7379) at 512.302.5555 or 800.252.1310
FREE CHECKING250+ FREE ATMs21 METRO LOCATIONS
*Rate applies to 1st lien commercial real estate loans with a loan to value of 80% or less; construction/development loan rates/terms may vary. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Austin Telco Federal Credit Union is federally insured to at least $250,000 per member by the National Credit Union Administration.
12 | FEATURES | Community Impact Newspaper • San Marcos/Buda/Kyle Edition
Texas Old TownFacility boasts natural landscape for weddings
T exas Old Town, founded by Larry Kruzie, offers couples looking to wed
a scene from an earlier time complemented by Texas’ natural landscape. The 300-acre ranch outside of Kyle is equipped with three halls, each complete with services necessary for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
However, a wedding venue was not Kruzie’s first idea for a business.
“I wanted to build a family- oriented, Western-themed type town,” Kruzie said. “I wanted to create a place where families could come and make memo-ries. I found this area to be great for location, and the strongest financially.”
After Kruzie introduced the idea to Bruce and Annetta Hugh-son, owners of the Hughson Ranch, they became partners and Texas Old Town began to come to fruition.
The original plans for the
ranch were to host a Western-themed tourist attraction com-plete with restaurants, clothing and specialty shops and a hotel.
Once it was finished and opened for business, Kruzie realized things were heading in different direction.
“It just wasn’t happening,” Kruzie said. “I was out on a limb when a wedding broker from an advertising agency met with me [about hosting a wedding at the ranch]. I said to myself, ‘What do I have to lose?’ After hosting a wedding extravaganza, I booked four weddings that evening.”
Kruzie spoke with his partners and began making the necessary arrangements for the steady busi-ness that followed. He says meet-ing with the engaged couples and giving them tours of the ranch is one of his favorite parts about his job.
“I learned that there’s two kinds of brides,” Kruzie said. “You’ve got your country bride,
who sees all of this natural beauty and can appreciate it. And then you’ve got your Hilton bride, who wants to go down-town, pay too much money and do it in a big room.”
Each hall comes with its own amenities and features. Wedding packages yield different choices according to price range.
In addition to Tejas Hall, employees enclosed what was once a pavilion and created Red-bud Hall.
“My wife named Redbud,” Kruzie said. “I wish she would have called it Rosebud. That’s what everyone else confuses it with.”
After a busy first year, hosting 55 weddings in 2005, Kruzie cre-ated Sage Hall in 2008.
“[Weddings] are a happy time,” Kruzie said. “The brides are bubbly, the grooms are walking around in a trance, but it’s great fun.”
Larry Kruzie, founder of Texas Old Town in Kyle,
hosts wedding ceremonies and
receptions.
Texas Old Town1205 Roland Lane, Kyle 396-1800 www.texasoldtown.com Twitter: @TexasOldTown
35
Roland Ln.Old Stagecoach Rd.
BUSINESS
By Rikki Saldivar
Lanterns line walkways at Texas Old Town in Kyle.
The wedding venue has separate dressing rooms available for men (pictured) and women.
Pho
tos
by
Ash
ley
Lan
dis
impactnews.com • July 2011 | FEATURES | 13
O nly 10 minutes from San Marcos’ Square, Three Dudes Winery offers a haven for wine lovers of every vari-
ety, from college students to connoisseurs. Founded in 2006 by longtime friends Terry Alford, Jeff Felderhoff and Ron Pontiff, the winery features a tasting room, shaded porch and double-level decks overlooking the San Marcos River.
“We did a lot of wine hopping and wine tasting in the Hill Country and thought, ‘It’d be cool if we could do this,’” Felderhoff said.
Three Dudes produces five wines: Chenin Blanc, Texas White (the winery’s biggest seller), White Zinfandel, Texas Red and merlot. Each is made with 100 percent Texas grapes and aged for six to 12 months in stainless steel tanks.
“We like to make wine we like to drink, and hopefully others will like it, too,” said Felderhoff. “That’s our philosophy.”
Before Three Dudes, Felderhoff’s first run at making wine was in his own home. With a 50-gallon tank, two 12-gallon tanks and various other wine-making equip-ment, Felderhoff set out to make a cabernet and a chardonnay.
“My house looked like a little lab,” Fel-derhoff said. “If police had come in, there would have been some serious questions.”
Felderhoff, Alford and Pontiff spent more than a year designing and building the winery. They constructed the decks
Three Dudes Winery manager Jessie Wiens hosts events from small wine tastings to large outdoor parties.
by hand and planned the initial building size around some trestles Alford already possessed. That laid-back, personal touch continues to be a part of the Three Dudes brand.
“I get calls asking if there’s a dress code,” said Jessie Wiens, the winery’s manager. “Definitely not. People come in here in bathing suits from the river. It’s totally fine.”
Not that Three Dudes isn’t capable of getting fancy. The decks can accommodate up to 100 people, with more seating avail-able on the surrounding land. The winery rents the space out to events including nonprofit fundraisers, sorority and frater-nity parties and weddings.
According to Wiens, pricing ranges from $50 an hour to $250 an hour, depending on number of people and the level of the winery’s involve-ment.
As for Felder-hoff’s favorite Three
Dudes wine: “It really does depend on my mood and the day. If I were sitting outside right now, it’d be the Chenin Blanc. If I were going home and having a steak, it’d be the merlot. I really do like them all.”
Three Dudes is producing its first port, which has been aging in wooden bar-rels for nine months. Felderhoff expects to bottle 50 cases of the port in August. Each 750 mL bottle will sell for about $30, though Felderhoff said most of those 50 cases are already accounted for.
“We’ll start right away with a new batch after bottling,” Felderhoff said. “We might have to make a little more next time.”
Three Dudes Winery125 Old Martindale Road, San Marcos392-5634 Noon–6 p.m. dailywww.threedudeswinery.com Twitter: @ThreeDudesWine
By Katie Gutierrez Painter
Three Dudes WineryHomegrown spirits and ambience are offered on San Marcos River
BUSINESS
Ash
ley
Lan
dis
“We like to make wine we like to drink, and hopefully others will like it too —that’s our philosophy.”
—Jeff Felderhoff Co-founder of Three Dudes Winery
CR 266
Old Martindale
Rd.
35
621
21San Marcos Hwy.
Friday, August 26, 2011 - 6:30 p.m.Four Seasons Hotel | Austin, Texas
Honoring Rebecca PowersFounder, Impact Austin
For additional information on the Gala, to purchase tickets or learn about sponsorship opportunities
please call Heidi Doering at 512.313.4110 or visit www.concordia.edu/EIL
Dr. Dickinson specializes in:
• Prostate Cancer Surgery• Kidney Cancer Surgery• Minimally Invasive Surgery• Treatments for Enlarged Prostate (BPH)• Incontinence Treatments & Surgeries• Overactive Bladder Treatments• Urge Incontinence Treatments
Robert Dickinson, MDBoard Certifi ed Urologist
1180 Seton Parkway, #320Kyle, Texas 78640
T: (512) - 268-7100 • F: (512) -268-7200
Now located in Kyle, Texas!
What Sets Us Apart?• State-of-the-artfacility• Comfortdriventechnology• Kidfriendlystaffwithagentletouch• Parentswelcomedinthe
ChildrensDentistryofKyle.com4100EverettStreet,Ste215,Kyle,TX78640 (Adjacent to the Austin Regional Clinic)
(512)268-4400Jeremy Wittich, DDS
Specializing in dental care for infants, children & adolescents35
35
967
2770
1626150
2001
131
LOOP4
Bebee Rd
High Rd
MountainCity
Kohlers Crossing
4100 Everett St., Suite 215Kyle, TX 78640
14 | FEATURES | Community Impact Newspaper • San Marcos/Buda/Kyle Edition
DINING
Nonna Gina’s Italian RestaurantOwners offer authentic, ‘old-school’ Italian fare in Buda
I n the heart of historic downtown Buda, Nonna Gina’s Italian Restaurant occu-pies a space that many native Budans
remember from as far back as the 1940s.“When they were working on the high-
way between Austin and San Antonio, the workers would come and eat here,” said Rinaldo “Reno” Lanzillotti, co-owner and chef. “A customer’s family used to own the restaurant, and he tells us stories.”
Lanzillotti, who was born and raised in Italy, moved to Texas in the early 1980s. He worked as a chef in a number of high-end restaurants, including Mezzaluna and the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Austin.
During that time, he was struck by a gap in the food market: No one was making fresh pasta. In 1993, he took a leap of faith and opened pasta manufactory Bottega Della Pasta in the then-undeveloped South Congress and Ben White area in Austin. Lanzillotti’s fresh pasta—includ-ing the heart-shaped ravioli for which he is still known—was sold to retailers such as Whole Foods and Central Market. By 2004, however, Lanzillotti was burned out.
“I wanted a dramatic change,” he said. After a year of “being a bum,” Lanzil-
lotti enrolled in the Lauterstein-Conway School of Massage. It was there that he met Julie Renfro, his future partner and Nonna Gina’s co-owner, who taught at the school. By 2007, Lanzillotti was back in the food industry, and he and Renfro were discuss-ing opening a restaurant.
“Food is just a part of who Reno is,” Renfro said.
In August 2008, an ad for a small Buda
pizzeria came up “on Craigslist, of all places,” Renfro said. “Before we even called [the owner], we went down to look at it. We thought, ‘This place has a lot of potential.’”
“We brought the check, cut the keys, and cleaned on Monday [Sept. 1, 2008]. By Tuesday we were open for dinner—and nobody knew we were a different restau-rant,” Lanzillotti said.
It took about six months to obtain the permit needed to change the sign and about as long, Renfro said, to develop a customer base that appreciated the new restaurant’s ideals: “old-school process,” earthy foods and fresh, simple ingredients.
“All of the recipes come from somewhere in [Reno’s] past,” said Renfro.
The ambience at Nonna Gina’s—which is what Lanzillotti’s children call their Italian grandmother—is casual and warm, with burnished red walls, wood tables and daily wine and food specials handwritten on chalkboards.
The restaurant serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday and dinner Tuesday through Sunday and features live music on Wednesday evenings.
The pair works full time managing the restaurant and its staff of 15, with Lanzil-lotti as the chef and Renfro—who still works 30-hour weeks at Lauterstein-Con-way—managing the front end. Expansion, they say, is definitely in the cards for the future.
“We’re hitting the end of our [original] three-year plan,” Renfro said. “Now we’re looking around and saying ‘What else can we do?’”
By Katie Gutierrez Painter
The Graveyard Penne can be ordered with sauteed-shrimp (pictured), roast chicken or a sausage link.
Visitors have to pass through the kitchen to access the uniquely decorated restroom at Nonna Gina’s.
Julie Renfro (left) and Chef Reno Lanzillotti own Nonna Gina’s Italian Restaurant in downtown Buda.
SpecialsThe Graveyard Penne ($15)—made with pancetta, red onions, artichoke hearts, parsley, black pepper, pecorino, white wine and butter—is named for the kind of meal one makes on returning home from a graveyard shift: something hearty, thrown together from ingredients that happen to be in the fridge.
The specials are dreamed up by Chef Reno Lanzillotti and are constantly changing. Some recent specials include Steak Cambozola with roasted potatoes and sauteed spinach ($15.50), as well as Stuffed Pepper, a poblano pepper stuffed with house-made lamb sausage ($14).
A unique quirkNonna Gina’s inherited more than stories from its historic location: “One of the quirks of this place—it’s grandfathered in—is that there’s one restroom, and you have to walk through the kitchen to get to it,” co-owner Julie Renfro said. “It’s part of the charm. Children who eat here love to go to the bathroom because there are Christmas lights on the ceiling, so they go back and forth six times. Moms are going, ‘They just love your bathroom.’” “Busiest bathroom in Buda!” Chef Reno Lanzillotti quipped. “If you’ve got such a weird thing as a single bathroom through the kitchen,” Renfro said, “make it an event.”
Nonna Gina’s Italian Restaurant214 N. Main St., Buda523-8192www.nonnaginas.comTue.–Thu. noon–9 p.m. Fri.–Sat. noon–10 p.m.; Sun. 5–9 p.m. Twitter: @NonnaGinas
Pho
tos
by
Ash
ley
Lan
dis
2770
967
35
Goforth Rd.
Main St.
Rosie GarciaAgent
Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®
www.rosiegarciatx.com
40%DISCOUNTS UP TO 40 PERCENTDESCUENTOS HASTA CUARENTA POR CIENTO
(512) 392-8050
impactnews.com • July 2011 | FEATURES | 15
PEOPLE
Chamber of Commerce executivesLocal leaders discuss their roles and opportunities
Dick SchneiderExecutive director, Buda Area Chamber of Commerce
Ray HernandezExecutive director, Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce
Brian BondyPresident, San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce
Ray Hernandez was hired as executive director at the Kyle Area Chamber of Com-merce in April 2007. Kyle’s chamber has grown from about 200 members when he started to about 350 members today.
What is the importance of a chamber of commerce?
The chamber provides an opportunity and a platform for the business community to utilize resources available in a commu-nity and build relationships. The benefits depend on the type and size of the busi-ness. It provides credibility for the business,
not just in the city but throughout Central Texas. This is important because businesses have to have a customer base that trusts them. They want the opportunity to meet people and gain their trust.
What is your role as executive director?My role is to communicate and execute
the mission and the benefits that we offer to members. I’m the chief cook and bottle washer.
What is the city’s biggest challenge?The biggest challenge is to be able to
educate and communicate to our residents and our taxpayers the reasons why we have to continue to invest in infrastructure. It’s difficult, but if we don’t invest in it, the com-mercial development won’t be as profitable.
Where are the city’s opportunities for economic growth?
Over three years ago, our community leaders engaged in an economic development strategic plan. The chamber plays a sup-porting role to the economic development corporation in creating a full-service community.
Dick Schneider has been executive direc-tor since October 2001. When he started with the chamber, there were about 45 members and now they have more than 300 members from Buda and the sur-rounding area.
What is the importance of a chamber of commerce?
The chamber helps businesses improve their business. Our role is also to provide networking activities and to create devel-opment partnerships for members. The chamber fosters relationships with mem-bers and helps in business activities.
What is your role as executive director?My role is to keep things organized and
provide opportunities that will help the membership succeed. I do a little of every-thing. This is my 10th year here and I’ve seen some good growth.
What is the city’s biggest challenge?One of the challenges is the continued
ability to keep taxes low. They are low because we’ve been successful in economic development. We have brought in more sales tax through economic development. We need to continue to bring the right kind of growth that will fit into the master plan. The goal is to have commercial
development that will allow people to have jobs so they can afford to live in the City of Buda.
Where are the city’s opportunities for economic growth?
We have a fair amount of open space to work with, including the Sunfield MUD, Old Loop 4 and retail, restaurant and office space on South Main Street.
In Old Town downtown, the issue we have is many of the buildings are in disre-pair, and we are currently trying to rebuild downtown, so we need to work with the owners to improve the area and attract more people to downtown.
Brian Bondy joined the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce as president in February after serving seven years as the executive director of the Kerrville chamber. San Marcos’ chamber has more than 770 members.
What is the importance of a chamber of commerce?
My philosophy is we are a professional business membership organization and our responsibility is to represent our members so their businesses can grow and succeed.
The benefits are as varied and numer-ous as you want them to be. We provide networking opportunities and help people
do business with people. Another benefit for members is that chambers can typically speak with one voice.
Membership is an investment in their company and an investment in long-term visibility. Public perception is higher in members of the chamber. It shows they care enough to be a participant in their community.
What is your role?I’m like the conductor of the orchestra. I’m
responsible for implementing the policy of the board of directors. The staff are the very visible arm of the organization because we represent the chamber in the public.
What is the city’s biggest challenge?Making sure that when businesses come
to town they are welcomed. Also, there are several new people in key positions in the city, so making sure they have the opportu-nity to create synergy where we can bring ideas together based on our experiences.
Where are the city’s opportunities for economic growth?
Coming from Kerrville, this was the only chamber I wanted to work at. It’s in one of the most enviable locations in Central Texas and in the country. There isn’t anything that can’t be successful in San Marcos and Hays County.
By Jaime Kilpatrick
16 | FEATURES | Community Impact Newspaper • San Marcos/Buda/Kyle Edition
CASA of Central TexasVolunteers advocate for abused, neglected children
T here were 953 confirmed cases of child abuse and/or neglect in Caldwell,
Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties in 2010. As a result, 581 of those children were removed from their homes and placed in state care—where 40 percent of them found a voice through a Court Appointed State Advocate, or CASA.
“Our judge hears cases cover-ing seven counties,” said Eloise Hudson, community relations coordinator for CASA of Central Texas. “She hears cases involv-ing hundreds, if not thousands, of children. She has limited time to get the information she needs. CPS [Child Protective Services] workers are very overworked, too, and don’t always have time to go in and find out what’s going on in each case, so our volunteers are actually appointed as a legal guardian of the children.”
Incorporated in 1985, CASA of Central Texas has grown from
one location and 18 advocates to three locations (in New Braunfels, San Marcos and Seguin) and nearly 200 advocates. Nation-ally, the CASA Association is a network of more than 1,050 local community program offices. The organization’s mission is to recruit and train volunteers who will act in the best interest of abused and/or neglected children throughout their cases. Often, CASAs become the sole constant to children in a turbulent time.
“Advocates can go into the child’s school for parent-teacher conferences, visit the child at his or her foster home, talk to coun-selors, therapists, doctors and get a really overall perspective of what’s going on in the child’s life,” Hudson said. “This way they not only can help the judge with the large decisions—should they go back to the homes they were removed from?—but also look at the smaller things: Do they need special education, counseling?
Are they overmedicated?”Before becoming sworn in as
advocates, volunteers attend a five-week training program. The program is a combination of in-class and at-home work and courtroom observation.
Many of the CASA of Central Texas staff—including Execu-tive Director Norma Castilla-Blackwell—began their work with CASA as advocates. Hudson and her husband are currently volun-teering on behalf of five teenage siblings.
While CASA of Central Texas is expanding, having recently hired four new staff members, the organization is actively seeking volunteers.
“To make sure our volunteers aren’t burned out and leave the case halfway through, we appoint only one case at a time,” Hudson said. “That means our biggest need is more volunteers. The more volunteers we have, the more children we can serve.”
CASA of Central Texas104 E. Martin Luther King DriveSan Marcos392-3578 www.casacentex.org
NONPROFIT
By Katie Gutierrez Painter
Becky Tomblin (third from right) was honored at the 2010 CASA of Central Texas an-nual dinner and dance. From left: CASA Board President Karen Sleighter, former Texas State Representative Patrick Rose, former San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz, Becky Tomblin, Lucky Tomblin and CASA Executive Director Norma Castilla-Blackwell
N. Guadalupe St.S. C.M. Allen Pkwy.
Martin Luther King Dr.
Hopkins St.
35
82
Get involved• One-hour “CASA Voices” tour
informs interested citizens about CASA’s role in the child welfare system. Aug. 10 at noon, 104 E. MLK Drive, San Marcos
• Become an advocate by contacting Training Coordinator Debbie Haynes, 392-3578 or visit www.casacentex.org
• Third annual Samba for CASA Fundraiser and wine tasting event honors Comal County District Attorney Jennifer Tharp, Thursday July 28, 6–9 p.m., The Gardens of Cranesbury View, 1470 S. Cranes Mill Road, New Braunfels
Co
urte
sy C
AS
A o
f Cen
tral
Tex
as
S. LB
J Dr.
Challenging Consumers to
EXPECT MOREWith Our Exclusive
TOTAL PERFORMANCE DIAGNOSTICS®
A/C service should go beyond just patching up the immediate problem while many latent problems may remain undetected. The best way to detect latent problems is
AirOne’s exclusive Total Performance Diagnostics that estimates and compares:
• System Nominal Cooling Capacity & Actual Cooling
• System Efficiency (SEER) & Annual Cooling Costs
• System Rated Air Flow & Actual Air FlowONE FREE MONTHComfort Society Maintenance Plan
Plan Includes$20 Service Calls • 20% Repair Discount
Spring & Fall Service & InspectionsWith this ad. Visit our web site for more details.
Just because it’s running doesn’t mean it’s running right...Expect More...call or visit us online
www.myairone.com
www.MyAirOne.comIACIB0003537C
392-0022
impactnews.com • July 2011 | FEATURES | 17
K yle’s population may be one of the fastest growing in Texas, but mem-bers of the Kyle Cemetery Associa-
tion say it is important to remember the area’s humble beginnings and the residents who came before.
The Kyle Cemetery, located on Old Stagecoach Trail, is one of the oldest cem-eteries in the area and the oldest commu-nity cemetery in Hays County. Numerous people of historical importance are buried here including Col. Claiborne Kyle, his wife, Lucy Bugg, and son Fergus Kyle, who founded the city.
Fergus Kyle was also important to American history. He fought as a Confed-erate in the Civil War and served in the Texas House of Representatives during Reconstruction, one of just a few Demo-crats to do so.
The first two burials, held around 1846, were those of Willie Parks, an orphan whom Claiborne Kyle adopted, and an unidentified man found by his hired hands hanging in one of the nearby trees now known as “The Hanging Tree.” Claiborne Kyle later donated 15 acres around those graves to form the cemetery.
More than 160 years later, the cemetery is still in use. Jane Kirkham, a member of the Kyle Cemetery Association, said descendants of the Kyle family and others buried in the Kyle Cemetery come from all over the nation to make arrangements to be put to rest alongside their ancestors.
Those buried in the cemetery include veterans of the Civil War, Spanish-Amer-ican War, World War I, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. The cemetery is still growing, Kirkham said.
“We are in the process of selling lots and
The Kyle Cemetery features some area founders, including members of the Burleson and Kyle families.
having some surveying done for new areas for lots,” Kirkham said. “It’s a very historic cemetery with a registered historical marker, but it’s still in use.”
The area is also home to the Kyle Pioneer Family Cemetery, a former African-American cemetery, accessible from the Kyle Cemetery. An entrance gate to this adjacent cemetery was added in 1994, and it received its official name from the Hays County Commissioners Court in 2007.
Volunteers maintain both the old and new grounds, along with the unique head-stones and monuments, Kirkham said.
“Almost everyone on the cemetery board has an ancestor buried in the Kyle Cem-etery,” Kirkham said. “It’s been run that way since time began.”
The cemetery has been constantly plagued by vandalism in recent years, including an incident last summer that saw 30 headstones damaged.
Kirkham said the community pulled together resources to restore the head-stones as much as possible and invested in preventative measures.
“I don’t know why the area is so prone to vandalism, but as a result, we finally got a gate that closes at night,” Kirkham said.
Kyle Cemetery Old Stagecoach Trail, Kylewww.hayshistorical commission.com
By Hollie O’Connor
Kyle CemeteryTown founders buried in historical site still in use
HISTORY
Pho
tos
by
Jaim
e K
ilpat
rick
The Texas Historical Commission erected a placard in 1992 explaining the cemetery’s significance.
15035
Old
Sta
geco
ach
Trai
l
Post Rd.
W. Center St.
Schertz Bank& Trust
Continuous Community Service Since 1913512-754-7401
18 | FEATURES | Community Impact Newspaper • San Marcos/Buda/Kyle Edition
Market Data San Marcos, Kyle and Buda
Price Range
Number of homes for sale Average days on the market
San Marcos Kyle Buda San Marcos Kyle Buda
Less than $100,000 14 9 1 194 76 148
$100,000–$149,900 35 123 18 119 80 56
$150,000–$199,900 43 74 57 85 98 81
$200,000–$299,900 24 20 42 127 63 99
$300,000–$399,900 18 2 14 163 101 122
$400,000–$499,900 11 2 11 275 164 76
$500,000–$749,900 6 1 5 351 350 83
$750,000–$999,900 1 - 2 353 - 177
$1 million + 2 - 1 234 - 42
Month
Number of homes sold Average price
San Marcos Kyle Buda San Marcos Kyle Buda
June 2011 32 44 28 $165,456 $140,602 $191,081
May 2011 27 45 39 $194,742 $157,318 $201,182
April 2011 16 34 24 $153,715 $141,966 $186,126
March 2011 14 30 37 $163,112 $135,116 $187,334
February 2011 20 31 16 $188,547 $131,421 $176,753
January 2011 11 21 6 $159,301 $116,223 $155,081
December 2010 27 32 31 $167,132 $142,792 $180,314
November 2010 17 26 23 $246,524 $136,017 $167,160
October 2010 15 30 17 $143,113 $137,736 $213,584
On the market (June 1–30) Monthly home sales (October 2010–June 2011)
Property ListingsZIP code City Subdivision Address Bed/Bath Price Sq. ft. Agent Agency
78666 San Marcos Blanco Gardens 1217 Conway 3br/2ba $110,000 1,112 Perry Endsley Coldwell Banker First National
78666 San Marcos Blanco River Village 242 Trestle Tree 3br/1ba $99,000 1,220 Monica McNabb McNabb & Company Real Estate Services
78666 San Marcos Blanco River Village 256 Newberry Trail 3br/2ba $139,900 1,540 Shawn Sudbury Alarcon Real Estate
78666 San Marcos Blanco Vista 126 Silo St. 3br/2ba $153,095 1,421 Christi Anderson Wilcox Realty
78666 San Marcos Blanco Vista 106 Hay Barn 3br/2ba $172,913 1,658 Christi Anderson Century 21-The Excell Team
78666 San Marcos Blanco Vista 121 Farmhouse Road 3br/2ba $189,015 1,853 Christi Anderson Randall Morris & Assoc.
78666 San Marcos Blanco Vista 130 Farmhouse Road 3br/2ba $199,087 2,130 Christi Anderson Keller Williams SW Market Center
78666 San Marcos Blanco Vista 118 Silo St. 3br/2ba $141,990 1,326 Christi Anderson Keller Williams SW Market Center
78666 San Marcos Castle Forest 2008 Ramona Circle 3br/2ba $123,200 1,373 Hunter Brewton Team Coldwell Banker First National
78666 San Marcos Castle Forest 1929 Lisa Lane 3br/2ba $139,500 1,432 Mark Mayhew Endsley & Associates, Inc.
2008 Ramona Circle, San Marcos $123,200
REAL ESTATE
AmberwoodKyle – 78640
Build-out year: 2009
Builders: Lennar Homes, Gehan Homes
Square footage: 1,280–3,700
Home values: $60,000–$183,000
HOA dues (estimated): $330 annually
Amenities: Swimming pool at Amberwood Community Center
Nearby attractions: The Home Depot, Cabela’s, H-E-B Plus, the Village at Kyle and Kyle Crossing retail developments, Seton Medical Center-Hays, Southpark Meadows
Property taxes:
City of Kyle 0.41539 Hays County ESD No. 5 0.09530 Hays County 0.42480 Plum Creek Conservation District 0.01950 Special Road District 0.04440 Hays CISD 1.46130 Plum Creek Underground Water 0.01950 Austin Community College District 0.09510
Total (per $100 value) ______________2.57529
Hays CISD Schools:
• Pfluger Elementary School• Chapa Middle School• Lehman High School
Situated on what’s called the West Lake of San Marcos, Blanco Vista is a master planned community featuring a pristine collection of home-sites. You’ll be surprised of how easy it is to customize your home to �t your lifestyle.
HOMES FROM THE
$140s
Make us your Home. away from Home.
HOMES FROM THE
$140s
A�ordable Luxury A Family RetreatLocated 15 minutes from downtown Austin, the Meadows at Buda Features bold NEW amenities including a �shing pond, park, nature retreat and walking trails.
For more information please call Branka Bogdanich (512) 699-9782
For more information please call Michael Wagner (512) 659-1501
20 | FEATURES | Community Impact Newspaper • San Marcos/Buda/Kyle Edition
REAL ESTATE
Property ListingsZIP code City Subdivision Address Bed/Bath Price Sq. ft. Agent Agency
78666 San Marcos Cimarron Estates 1108 Cimarron Court 3br/2ba $158,000 1,569 Jason Tarr Randall Morris & Assoc.
78666 San Marcos College Courts 118 E. Ridgeway Drive 4br/1ba $149,900 1,564 Mary Evans Legacy Real Estate Sales & Mgt.
78666 San Marcos El Camino Real 274 Cordero Drive 3br/2ba $132,000 1,964 Mary Evans Asset Realty Of Texas
78666 San Marcos Espinoza Del Diablo 3409 FM 32 3br/2ba $194,900 2,240 Marilyn Wilcox Asset Realty Of Texas
78666 San Marcos Holland Park 1421 Meadow Parkway 3br/2ba $169,900 2,170 Phyllis Whitaker Asset Realty Of Texas
78666 San Marcos Hunter Ridge 105 Hunter Ridge Road 3br/2ba $399,000 2,541 James Walker Asset Realty Of Texas
78640 Kyle Amberwood 145 Maplewood North 4br/2ba $150,000 2,423 David Raesz Keller Williams Realty
78610 Buda Marlboro Country 105 Lambs Trail 3br/2ba $234,900 2,036 Gigi Jacks Keller Williams Realty
1278 Sweet Gum Drive, Kyle $163,000
105 Lambs Trail, Buda $234,900
105 Hunter Ridge Road, San Marcos $399,000
305 Larkspur Lane, Buda $235,000
For more residential real estate listings, visit more.impactnews.com/13692
The market data for Kyle and Buda are gathered from Austin MLS and San Marcos market data are gathered from Central Texas MLS. The residential real estate listings are a sample of homes added to the market between 1/11/10 and 6/23/11 for Kyle and Buda and between 6/9/11 and 7/8/11 for San Marcos. Listings for San Marcos were provided by the San Marcos Area Board of REALTORS, www.smabor.com, and listings for Buda and Kyle were provided by the Austin Board of REALTORS, www.abor.com. These listings are not comprehensive. Contact the property’s agent or seller for the most current information. Although every effort has been made to ensure the timeliness and accuracy of these listings, neither Community Impact Newspaper nor the agent assumes liability for errors or omissions.
Top
Pic
ks
Buy 1 large pizza, get 2nd 50% off. See page 23.
COOL M I N T C A F E
Find more local coupons online at impactdeals.com
FINDMORE DEALS ONLINENOW
Featured advertiser
Coupons InsideDiningCool Mint Cafe .......................................22Fox’s Pizza Den ......................................23Jason’s Deli ...........................................22Koy Chinese and Sushi...........................23Tres Hermanas ......................................23
