From funding for proposed data centers in New Braunfels to housing development rezoning issues, check out the five top-read stories across the San Antonio area from March 30-April 2.
1. Guadalupe County commissioners vote down $500M tax cut for proposed data center in New Braunfels
In a 3-2 vote, Guadalupe County commissioners voted against a $500 million property tax abatement for a multibuilding data center campus with CloudBurst Texas on Feb. 24.
Guadalupe County Judge Kyle Kutscher and Precinct 2 Commissioner Drew Engelke voted in favor of the tax abatement. Precinct 1 Commissioner Jacqueline Ott, Precinct 4 Commissioner Stephen Germann and Precinct 3 Commissioner Jim Wolverton dissented.
A Chapter 312 tax abatement was the tax break under consideration by commissioners. A Chapter 312 tax abatement is an agreement between a taxpayer and a tax unit that exempts increases in property value taxation for up to 10 years. It is an economic development tool available to counties, cities and special districts to attract new industries, according to the Texas comptroller’s website.
Learn more from Editor Amira Van Leeuwen.
2. Judson ISD trustees approve contract change for Cibolo Creek Middle School
The Judson ISD board of trustees approved a change to a construction services contract for Cibolo Creek Middle School, located at 5735 Waldon Walk in San Antonio, on March 26.
The contract change is being funded by the district’s 2022 bond. The contract would add $641,000 to the project, bringing the total cost to $81.21 million. The contract will expire once all work is completed, according to board documents.
Check out the full story by Reporter Janelle De Jesus.
3. Locally-owned senior living facility doubles in size with expansion project
A San Antonio-based senior living facility is getting ready to finish an expansion project that will nearly double its overall capacity.
BeeHive Homes of Crownridge—a senior living facility located in northwest San Antonio—is currently constructing a new building that will double its capacity, Jordan Sikora told Community Impact.
It’s located at 6919 Camp Bullis Road, next to the Pinnacle Montessori school, and is expected to open in June or early July.
Read more by Reporter Andrew Creelman.
4. Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD approves policy allowing out-of-district transfers
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD is planning a new initiative to increase enrollment for students living outside of the district.
On March 26, Executive Director of Elementary Education Sarah Dauphinais gave a presentation on limited enrollment for out-of-district transfers to schools with lower enrollment.
If implemented, the program would begin during the 2026-27 school year.
Learn more from Reporter Jarrett Whittener.
5. New Braunfels housing development faces setback as rezoning motion fails
The future of a proposed New Braunfels housing development is up in the air after a motion to rezone 38 acres for a new subdivision failed 3-2 on March 23.
Council members Michael Capizzi and April Ryan, and Mayor Neal Linnartz voted to approve the rezoning, while council members Toni Carter and Mary Ann Labowski dissented. Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence Spradley was absent, and council member D. Lee Edwards recused himself from the item, as he is a party involved in the potential sale of the property, city officials said.