Fredericksburg officials are weighing next steps for a long-planned roadway after unanimously postponing a decision during a recent City Council meeting. The proposed thoroughfare would cut through a development plat connected to the planned Waldorf Astoria Hill Country hotel, putting the project at a critical juncture.
Although the roadway has been part of the city’s plans since 2006, developer Robert Radovan told council members on April 7 that uncertainty around the route is stalling progress. The current plat design conflicts with Fredericksburg’s master plan, which was readopted in 2024, complicating efforts to move the hotel development forward.
City council will pick up the discussion again at a May 5 meeting.
The dispute is prompting broader questions about whether Fredericksburg — a popular tourist destination some say is losing its small-town character — will adjust its long-standing plans for the luxury development, and how any changes could affect residents, local businesses and traffic patterns.
City engineering consultant Kimley-Horn found that the original plans for the proposed roadway performs best, while an alternative route near could impact nearby properties.
Radovan told leaders that the storied brand’s development, which was scheduled to be complete by 2027, will add immediate value to the community, whereas the long-planned road has no scheduled build date. The luxury hotel announced its plan for a Fredericksburg location in march 2025.
During the meeting, Kris Kneese, the Director of Public Works & Utilities, said the city had been preserving the land for the potential road but added that there is currently no money set aside for the project. And it may require future voter approval, Kneese added.
The site is in an area outside Fredericksburg’s full control, limiting the city’s authority over development. Officials said during the meeting that a formal annexation request from the developers would help determine whether to move ahead with changes to the master plan.
Radovan said during the meeting that they are open to voluntary annexation, but he was unsure when the luxury hotel would proceed.
City of Fredericksburg public information officer Sean Doerre told MySA that the city council tabled the discussion to allow additional time for review and consideration.
The city’s Planning and Zoning commission previously approved the Waldorf Astoria development plan in October 2025 under the condition that the thoroughfare issue would be resolved first.
“At this time, the City has not received an annexation request, development agreement or related proposal associated with this item. Any future requests or proposals from the developer would be evaluated as they are formally submitted and scheduled for consideration,” the city said in a statement.
Officials told MySA on Tuesday, April 14, that the developers have not provided many updates since last week’s meeting.