By Sahar Chmais

DRIPPING SPRINGS – Due to the rapid growth in Dripping Springs, the city is launching Preserve Dripping Springs, a process to review and update the Zoning Code.

Preserve Dripping Springs was established to improve and streamline the development process in the city and bring an opportunity to promote sustainable options while preserving the city’s character. Dripping Springs has been breaking ground on many housing developments and becoming home to many newcomers.

The housing market in Dripping Springs has been on a continuous boom. According to Redfin, in March 2021, home prices were up 45% compared to last year. The median price reached $700,000 in 2021 and homes are selling faster than last year. In March 2020, the median home price in Dripping Springs was $480,000.

“The city is at a crucial moment in development,” said City Senior Planner Amanda Padilla. “This is our opportunity to look at previous and current development while looking to the future of the community when it comes to density, roads, business and more. Now is the time to preserve the Dripping Springs character while looking toward future developments.”

This process will transition the city to a Unified Development Code (UDC), rather than having various land development related ordinances dispersed throughout the code. The UDC will include updates on regulations relating to land development. Regulations can also determine what can be built, where it can be built and how much can or cannot be built.

A crucial role of Preserve Dripping Springs is to get input and feedback from residents and business owners so the city aligns land development with the community’s goals. The city is conducting a survey for residents to better understand their needs.

To take the survey, visit the city’s website at www.cityofdrippingsprings.com; the survey will be in the Preserve Dripping Springs section. Residents can take the survey in English or Spanish and it will be available through May 3.

There will be more public outreach events once the city is further in the process. Dripping Springs plans to complete the UDC in Spring of 2022.