Residential, commercial development approved

The city of Dripping Springs has officially approved the annexation and rezoning of approximately 283 acres of agricultural land for a planned development district, named Wild Ridge, northeast of city limits. The district will allow for more than 900 homes to be built.

The proposal for the Wild Ridge neighborhood, formerly known as the Cynosure project, was originally presented at the Dripping Springs City Council meeting on Aug. 3, but voting was postponed until the council meeting on Aug. 17 for more time to complete related documents.

Located north of Highway 290 and east of Ranch Road 12, Wild Ridge will sit adjacent to the Big Sky Ranch subdivision, also planned by Meritage. The proposed neighborhood is expected to provide up to 960 single-family homes with additional local retail spots, public trails, a playground and a disc golf course.

The developer has stated that the project is designed to be a mix of residential and retail that will add density to the core area of Dripping Springs.

Representatives from engineering firm Doucet and Associates echoed the project’s benefit to the city, saying the project would likely generate around $683,000 in annual property tax for Dripping Springs — despite costing the city more than $8.2 million for its agreed-upon contributions to roads and utilities in the district.

The approved proposal for Wild Ridge, now officially known as Planned Development District #13, includes a Transportation Enhancement Agreement for street, utility and park improvements; Utility Agreements for Wastewater Service and Water Service and the creation and operation of the first in-city Municipal Utility District. Included in this Transportation Enhancement Agreement between the City of Dripping Springs and Meritage Homes is a new, four-lane, arterial road that will connect the neighborhood to Hwy. 290. Developers said they would eventually like for the road to cross Hwy. 290 and connect to FM 150 as well.