A controversial 2,700-home development in northwest Bexar County just cleared another hurdle, despite years of pushback from residents worried about its impact on Helotes Creek, the Edwards Aquifer and habitat for one of Texas’ most closely watched endangered birds.
On Tuesday, June 9, the Southern Edwards Plateau Habitat Conservation Plan Coordinating Committee unanimously approved Lennar Homes’ request to add 134.5 acres to its proposed Guajolote Ranch project, a 1,160-acre master-planned community along Scenic Loop Road.
The approval marks the latest win for Lennar in the long-running clash between developers and community members over Guajolote Ranch. Opponents have argued the project poses environmental risks to local water resources and to the golden-cheeked warbler, an endangered bird that nests exclusively in Texas, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Lennar will make a $612,458 mitigation payment in exchange for the approval of its request. Residents voiced their concerns at the public hearing, asking committee members not to approve the expansion.
Locals have raised concerns about the development’s potential impact on local water resources. Once completed, the project is expected to discharge 1 million gallons of treated wastewater into the Helotes Creek watershed.
The City of San Antonio conservation committee said the project has already gone through city, county, San Antonio Water System and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approval processes.
The development is required to preserve about 580 acres of open space to help offset its environmental impact.