By Moses Leos III.
Amid a wind-swept field on Buda’s east Main Street, a lone nine-foot sign draws attention with its message: “Hotel Coming Soon.”
It caught the attention of Buda leaders, who now await what may come of a possible five-story hotel, adjacent to the Holiday Inn Express. It would become the sixth such business within the city limits.
Another hotel in Buda is nothing new for Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Ann Miller who said several developers expressed interest in a new hotel in July.
No so-called “tire-kickers” completed the process.
“None of them have signed on bottom line,” Miller said.
But two weeks ago, a sign was erected on the property behind A-Plus Credit Union and Starbucks. According to Hays County Appraisal District (CAD) records, that land is owned by Economy Inn & Suites.
Mayor Todd Ruge was first to find out.
“It came as a shock to (me),” Ruge said.
The development was not a big surprise for Chance Sparks, Buda’s planning director, who said signs are not uncommon.
In addition, there is no prohibition on developers placing preemptive signs on their property.
“If they have a potential project, they can put up a sign,” he said. Signs, he said, do not serve as verification that something will happen.
Thus far, no documentation on a new hotel has been submitted.
The prospect of a five-story hotel – which would be the tallest hotel in Buda – worries Ruge.
Bringing in a five-story building provides challenges and hurdles. Ruge feels a taller building could pose fire code issues. The lack of a ladder engine close by could become a liability.
“I’m not sure if the landowner has been in contact with the fire department,” Ruge said.
Unphased by this new development was Emergency Service District (ESD) No. 8 Division Chief and Fire Marshal Mike Duffey.
Duffey said there was little change in fire code regarding four and five-story structures. The department already worked with the isue, as Creekside Villas Apartments is a de-facto five-story structure.
According to fire code, structures above three stories must have a sprinkler system installed. In addition, a standpipe network must be built, where fire hoses would be connected in the stairway.
Ultimately, he says it is dependent on building code requirements and how the structure is built.
“If there was concern, I’d be concerned already,” Duffey said. “Adding another floor is not going to bring much difference than what we have now.”
Buda Emergency Service District (ESD) No. 8 Fire Chief Clay Huckaby was not aware of signs.
However, while a ladder truck may be necessary in the future, Huckaby believes current suppression systems are adequate to stave off the million dollar investment for now.
“Hotels have worked with us for fire suppression,” he said. “They understand we don’t have a (ladder) truck. We work with them ... on fire suppression.”
Ultimately, it depends on the city council. In Ruge’s opinion, that will be the toughest test of all.
“The tallest hurdle is city council,” he said. “We made it pretty clear that we do not want five-story buildings.”
