KYLE — Kyle City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a total of 16 acres of land for more than $4 million at its Dec. 12 special meeting.
Six acres for water plant
“We are purchasing the entire tract for the Bunton Creek Road bond project right-of-way that we need and also expansion of the existing Lehman water utility facility,” said assistant city manager Amber Schmeits.
She continued by explaining that the expansion would have additional pumps, ground storage, chlorine facility, lines and more.
The appraised amount for the 6.699-acre lot, owned by SSSPP Realty, LLC, was $2,043,000, but the city and the owner were unable to reach an agreement initially.
According to the presentation, council approved PCN authorizing eminent domain proceedings in August and in November, the landowner agreed to a possession and use agreement, which allows additional time for parties to negotiate and grants immediate irrevocable access to the property prior to the negotiated closing. The owner is also paid the full offer amount, which would be the original $2,043,000, as credit towards the final compensation.
“If you look at the map, it's right in the heart of Southlake Ranch subdivision and the last thing I would like to have is the same issue that we’re having in [the Waterleaf neighborhood],” said council member Michael Tobias, referring to the complaints from residents about vile smells emitting from the wastewater plant.
He also asked how large the facility will be and what the cosmetic structure of it will be, as well as the type of chemicals that will be processed in the neighborhood.
“This is a water treatment facility, so this is a site that we receive water from Guadalupe Blanco River Authority. So, we’re not treating wastewater at this facility,” explained assistant director of water utilities Tim Samford. “There will be no issues with smells. Aesthetically, we are utilizing a masonry, solid wall fence that will surround our property … The pump building will be an enclosed facility [to] try to be a good neighbor for the noise and everything that's associated with those pumps.”
Tobias was also concerned about the amount of construction that will be occurring in the area, with the supposed roundabout coming in the near future. To which, Samford responded, stating that this is simply a crucial part to the city’s ability to fulfill demands and that this facility is being anticipated, so it is being taken into account with other construction projects.
According to council member Robert Rizo, he stated that this project will also aid with the incoming Alliance Regional Water Authority project.
The item was approved 6-0. Mayor Travis Mitchell was not in attendance.
Nine acres for park use
Parks and Recreation director David Lopez also gave a presentation regarding a 9.412-acre tract, located near the Plum Creek subdivision, for the future Kyle Sportsplex, adding to the approximately 80 acres of existing land for the facility.
According to the presentation, the city indicated its wish to purchase the land for outdoor sports use in a 2019 development agreement with Lennar. Later, in 2024, as part of ongoing public improvement district negotiations, the city executed addendum #6 “reaffirming the city’s desire to purchase the land to be integrated into the outdoor sportsplex in Plum Creek,” read agenda documents.
The Lennar phase two development agreement states that it agrees to sell up to 10 acres to the city at $224,260 per acre, which for 9.412 acres would come to a total of $2,110,735.
“The inclusion of the 9.4-acre tract is going to be adjacent to Rikardson and would provide access to and through the site from Rikardson all the way down through Cromwell [Drive],” said Lopez.
Lopez stated that the concept for this site is still under review and collecting feedback through the masterplan process.
City manager Bryan Langley stated that the money for this land would come out of the city’s $7 million portion that it put toward the sportsplex with the county “for acquisition of land related to the sportsplex,” which combined to amount to $14 million.
“I’m sure it would even be a really nice viable option, possibly even for the design of an animal shelter. I know that’s not in this discussion yet, but that could be a location, as well,” said council member Miguel Zuniga.
“I do think that it’s beneficial for the city to acquire this land in order to be able to really program how that outdoor sportsplex will look like,” said council member Daniela Parsley.
The item was approved 6-0. Council will meet next in January 2025.
