Is Texas Hill Country in danger of being ‘loved to death’?

Is Texas Hill Country in danger of being ‘loved to death’?

Deep in the heart of Texas, the traffic is backed up for almost a mile. It’s a jarring sight for long-time residents of the Hill Country, a rural oasis of scrubby green hills, crystalline water, and bright white limestone west of Austin and San Antonio. But it’s not...
State of the Hill Country: Growth in unincorporated areas of Kendall County

State of the Hill Country: Growth in unincorporated areas of Kendall County

Editorial by Ben Eldredge, Cibolo Center for Conservation As the new State of the Hill Country Report illustrates, the Hill Country population has increased by 50% since 1990, with most of this growth occurring along the I-35 corridor. The fastest growing counties are...
‘Gold rush’ in Hill Country as homebuilding surges; stresses on environment, infrastructure prompt dire warnings

‘Gold rush’ in Hill Country as homebuilding surges; stresses on environment, infrastructure prompt dire warnings

Gone are the days when the Texas Hill Country was just that — rolling hills as the backdrop to a country way of life, a relatively undeveloped and untouched region of the Lone Star State. Gone are the days when dark skies were actually dark, longhorns roamed in...
New law requires Texas landlords to tell tenants if their property lies in a 100-year flood plain

New law requires Texas landlords to tell tenants if their property lies in a 100-year flood plain

A new law requires landlords in Texas to inform prospective renters whether their properties are in flood plains. Jasper Scherer has been writing about this for the Houston Chronicle, where he covers state politics. Read more or listen to the interview from Jill Ament...
‘Careful what we ask for’: Dripping Springs battles major Hill Country growing pains, development issues

‘Careful what we ask for’: Dripping Springs battles major Hill Country growing pains, development issues

Diane and Chuck McClaferty live and work on a Dripping Springs ranch. It’s been in Chuck McClaferty’s family for 85 years. They raise beef cattle. They keep honeybees. And a proposed four-lane highway would run right through the middle of their land. Read more from...
Too much of a good thing — Dripping Springs extends moratorium on new development

Too much of a good thing — Dripping Springs extends moratorium on new development

The city of Dripping Springs has extended its moratorium on new development until late February amid concerns about rapid growth and insufficient infrastructure. The small Hays County town, known as the “Gateway to the Hill Country,” enacted the moratorium on Nov. 18....