HELOTES, Texas – Northwest Bexar County residents voiced their opposition to the Guajolote Ranch housing development at Thursday’s county budget town hall.
Dozens showed up, hoping County Judge Peter Sakai and Commissioner Grant Moody would try to stop the project, but that’s not how the meeting went.
The development intends to build 2,900 homes in the area, but would require the creation of a wastewater treatment plant.
Residents and experts argue that the plant would contaminate the Helotes Creek watershed and make San Antonio’s water unsafe to drink for 1.7 million people.
The Texas Commission of Environmental Quality has not yet decided whether to approve a wastewater permit for the Lennar Corporation.
That decision could come as early as this fall. In the meantime, neighbors want Bexar County leaders to stop what they can.
“The hope is they’ll be responsive to the will of the people,” Randy Neumann said.
Residents asked the county to vote against the creation of a Public Improvement District for the project.
A Public Improvement District is a defined area where property owners pay extra taxes for local improvements.
Art Reinhardt, the director of Public Works and county engineer for Bexar County, said a developer would do this to help offset costs.
“They’re making the upfront investment,” Reinhardt said, “and this helps them recover some of those costs.”
Reinhardt said a petition for a Public Improvement District was filed by Guajolote Ranch in 2023.
The petition requires approval from Bexar County and the City of San Antonio, even though it is outside of city limits, because it will affect the San Antonio Water System.
Moody said the petition has sat idle since 2023.
“There haven’t been any discussions for the last two years,” Moody said.
The Helotes Creek Watershed is in the recharge zone for two dominant aquifers, the Trinity Glen Rose Aquifer and the Edwards Aquifer. Millions of people get drinking water from these two.
The Helotes Creek Watershed’s contribution to the Edwards Aquifer provides more than 50 percent of the San Antonio Water System’s water supply.
Judge Sakai said he heard the frustration from homeowners concerned about the project on Thursday night.
“Right now, I want to make sure we protect the aquifer,” Sakai said. “And, I want to make sure we follow the law.”
The final town hall will be held next Thursday, Aug. 21, at Holy Redeemer Hall, 231 Vargas Alley. Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert is scheduled to be in attendance.
More information on the budget process can be found on the county’s website.
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