Planning Commission Special Meeting - 2026-01-16
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Planning Commission voted 5-4 to recommend denial of the city's consent to create Bexar County Municipal Utility District No. 2 (Guadalupe Ranch MUD) for a proposed 3,000-home Lennar development on 1,160 acres northwest of Scenic Loop and Babcock Road. The MUD would have financed infrastructure including a wastewater treatment plant that would discharge up to 1 million gallons daily into Helotes Creek watershed, which recharges the Edwards Aquifer. Overwhelming public opposition cited water quality concerns, traffic impacts, and environmental risks to San Antonio's drinking water supply.
Key Decisions (1)
Consent to Guadalupe Ranch Municipal Utility District (Bexar County MUD No. 2)
Planning Commission recommended denial of city consent to create a MUD for the Guadalupe Ranch subdivision at northwest intersection of Scenic Loop Road and Babcock Road. The 1,160-acre development proposed 3,000 single-family homes with an on-site wastewater treatment plant. Developer Lennar Homes sought MUD financing for approximately $150 million in infrastructure. Property owners Sydney and Marcy Edwards filed the petition.
Development Activity (1)
Guadalupe Ranch Subdivision
3,000 single-family homes on 1,160 acres, mix of lot sizes with homes ranging from 1,200 to 2,400 square feet, single and two-story homes, 50% (580 acres) set aside as open space, 30% impervious cover limit, on-site wastewater treatment plant with 1 million gallon per day capacity, neighborhood amenities including parks and swimming pools
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
Lennar positioned the development as attainable housing for first-time and move-up buyers, indicating continued demand for entry-level single-family homes in the San Antonio metro area.
Infrastructure
Developer committed to widening Scenic Loop Road and Babcock Road, installing traffic signals at Scenic Loop/Babcock and Scenic Loop/Cross Mountain Trail intersections, and constructing dedicated turn lanes, suggesting infrastructure deficiencies in northwest Bexar County.
Sentiment
Overwhelming community opposition to development over Edwards Aquifer contributing zone, with bipartisan political opposition including 14 state legislators, Bexar County commissioners, Mayor Ron Nuremberg, and State Senators Donna Campbell and Roland Gutierrez.
Other
SAWS declined to provide sewer service to the site despite providing water service, citing the property is outside SAWS sewer jurisdiction and concerns about extending sewer lines through the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.