Share your vision of the Hill Country

HCA wants to know what you envision for the future of the Texas Hill Country. Based on your unique experiences in this region, what would you like to see happen to our roads and our waterways? Our homes and our communities? Our parks and our farms or ranches? Send us your vision by e-mail to info@hillcountryalliance.org.

Here's what one Central Texan had to say:

My Vision for the Hill Country

By Betty Saenz

(submitted at the “Let’s Envision the Future Together: Sustainable Growth in the Hill Country and New Braunfels” Session on Sept. 18, 2008)

My ancestors have been in the Texas Hill Country and New Braunfels since Texas was a republic. My ancestors’ burial ground is now in between IHOP and Taco Cabana in front of the apartments on IH35 in a tiny cemetery buzzed by the traffic of IH35. Caroline Cauer’s grave and other family members are in that tiny cemetery. My grandmother’s grandparents’ home is the Texas Museum of Handmade Furniture in New Braunfels. My family would roll over in their graves if they could see what has happened to their land.

I envision, in a perfect world, sustainable growth. Green homes with rainwater collection, grey water reuse, and net zero energy use, with adequate land around these new subdivisions for wildlife and native plants. Yards would be xeriscaped — they wouldn’t require extra irrigation — and have organic edibles. Every home would recycle paper, plastic, batteries, metal, aluminum, light bulbs, etc., etc.

People would walk or bike to go shopping or for entertainment. They would buy local, buy organic, buy used. Springs and streams would continue to flow freely and stay clean, as would lakes. There would be lots of parks and open spaces — connected by trails. Affordable green housing would be available, as well as community organic gardens, farmer’s markets and craft fairs.

Betty Raetzsch-Saenz is Commissioner Place 6 on the Leander Planning & Zoning Commission. She is the descendant of Caroline Dauer, Andreas Breusted and early pioneers of New Braunfels.




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