Pressing Pause on Development in the Shadow of Austin's Growth

The Dripping Springs City Council points to inadequate wastewater infrastructure and the need to update its comprehensive plan as reasons for the city's development moratorium.

1 minute read

February 17, 2022, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


A subdivision of large suburban homes, some with bright blue pools, sits atop a low hill in Hays County, Texas.

Recent development in Dripping Springs, Texas has taken on a decidedly non-rural character. | Roschetzky Photography / Shutterstock

Dripping Springs, Texas this week decided to lengthen a development moratorium in place since November 2021 while it addresses limited wastewater capacity and works on an update to the city's land use plan, according to an article by Glorie Martinez for Community Impact Newspaper.

"The last comprehensive plan for Dripping Springs was released in 2016. The city experienced rapid population growth during the 2010s, increasing by 97.27% between 2014-2019 alone," writes Martinez. The town, a rural community with less than 5,000 residents, is located about 20 miles east of Austin, in Hays County. Austin, of course, is growing quickly and experiencing growing pains in terms of housing prices and congestion.

Dripping Springs expects to release its new land use plan in December 2022.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 in Community Impact Newspaper

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