City set to annex 200-home Spencer Ranch land

Councilman opposing zoning efforts for multi-family units

Boerne City Council Tuesday took the first step toward annexing a 71-acre development off FM 46 that includes 209 single-family homes, but not without some consternation over zoning requirements on additional acreage there.

The homes are phase 1 of development of The Birch at Spencer Ranch, currently in the city’s extra-territorial jurisdiction.

Council approved a mixed-use development agreement in June 2021 that includes an additional 112 acres that will include more than 560 low-rise multi-family units on two separate tracts, as well as shopping and office spaces.

A second public hearing is set for June 25 before the annexation can be approved.

The council would have to approve zoning requirements before developers launch phase 2, which includes the multi-family units.

“Will we have 100 percent freedom to zone as we see fit, or are we bound by that (2021 development) agreement?” Macaluso asked Nathan Crane, city planning director, who said the city must honor that agreement.

“I have a problem with that. I didn’t agree with that,” Macaluso said. “I went through this when it first came on the council six years ago. I do not like, and will resist, any approval that pre-ordains a development type based on our commitment to annexation.

“I just don’t like these pre-ordained assumptions about development. I just want to make sure we’re not pre-ordaining multi-family there without some oversight,” he said.

Assistant City Manager Kristy Stark said contract-zoning is not allowed within a development agreement.

“That’s their expectation,” Macaluso said. “But they need to understand that expectation and reality may not be the same thing. I think it’ll be a worthy discussion when zoning happens.”

Crane said creation of Spencer Ranch Boulevard becomes part of the city’s mobility thoroughfare plan. The new road will create a four-way intersection at Coughran Road about a half-mile from the Interstate 10 at 46 intersection.

The roadway, about a half-mile in length, will not connect to Johns Road, as it will dead-end at the property line.

Crane said the city has already approved plats for the 71 acres. Forestar Real Estate Group is handling development of the 200-plus homes at Spencer Ranch.