Dripping_Springs_Elite_Real_Estate_Professionals_Economic_Development_Blog_October.png

The Hill Country is Calling - Dripping Springs, Texas Economic Growth

Exponential growth has occurred over the last 20 years and will continue to do so – the question is how to best balance the demands of growth and maintain the quality of life, rural landscape, and small-town charm that have always been so important to what makes Dripping Springs unique and beloved.

Growing Pains

The City of Dripping Springs is approximately 9.5 square miles with about 5,600 people living within the city limits. The massive ETJ (Extra Territorial Jurisdiction) is 110 square miles and has approximately 40,000 people living in it. An ETJ, in simple terms, is the city’s authority beyond its normal boundaries (city limits). The majority of the ETJ is zoned for Dripping Springs ISD. In downtown Dripping Springs, you can find three historic districts that protect heritage sites and help preserve the charm and the city’s historically significant properties. Downtown has a variety of services, shops, and local hangouts to visit.

Dripping Springs has high median home prices, which makes it relatively unaffordable to first-time home buyers. There is a lack of entry-level or workforce housing (to buy or rent) which makes it challenging for some business owners whose employees must travel to Dripping from surrounding areas.

Why People Choose Dripping Springs

The highly sought-after schools, great quality of life, quaint, Hill Country feel, and convenient proximity to cities such as Austin, Bee Cave, San Marcos, Marble Falls, Johnson City, and the Austin Bergstrom International Airport make it a great choice for families or folks wanting a small-town feel and the convenience of bigger city amenities.

Planning is Everything

Well-managed growth is a vital component of city planning but contending with ever-increasing road traffic, overflowing school populations, and high demands for water and wastewater can be very challenging. The city is often inundated with permits for new builds. With so many additional end users tapping into the various aquifers, existing water wells can run dry putting long-time community members in harm’s way. Ongoing issues with the City’s wastewater permitting currently have most people building and utilizing private septic systems or neighborhood wastewater systems.

The city is updating its Comprehensive Plan aka the Reimagine Dripping Initiative. It’s a visioning process to create a guiding framework for development in Dripping regarding land use and major development projects. The plan’s goal is to align the city and community’s objectives with what ultimately happens in the future regarding real estate development, infrastructure investments, economic development, and zoning and will incorporate the recently adopted Transportation Master Plan and the Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan. The Comprehensive Plan roadmap ultimately illuminates the path for future land use and resource decisions for things such as housing, mobility, public services, recreation, natural and cultural resources, density, roads, businesses, and more. While the Comprehensive Plan is both sweeping and detailed in its scope, it is merely a guide or suggestive roadmap for future development.

About the City’s Economic Development Committee

The City’s Economic Development Committee is a 12-member advisory (only) committee tasked with representing various citizen groups and their interests as part of the City Council’s greater discussion of economic development, its design, and its direction.

The Committee is responsible for organizing an inclusive process for assessing community needs and priorities and providing the City Council with guidance via a proposed economic strategic plan.

Members of the Economic Development Committee are nominated by staff for appointment by the City Council. Staff encourages members of the community to submit applications for nomination and seeks to find individuals from various citizen groups, including but not limited to historic preservationists, planners, park supporters, the business community, school districts, media, nonprofits, county representatives, and property owners.

The Committee meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. in the Council Chambers located at City Hall - 511 Mercer Street, Dripping Springs, Texas. Residents and the public are welcome and encouraged to attend any Economic Development Committee Meetings.

Choosing an agent that knows the Hill Country and is involved in the community is crucial when buying or selling a home or property. Dripping Springs Elite is NOT a brokerage but a professional organization of top real estate agents from different brokerages in the community. These DSE agents collaborate and work diligently to ensure their clients benefit from their vast Hill Country expertise. Through various volunteering endeavors, the DSE is dedicated to benefiting our community and its nonprofits by strengthening the quality of life for all residents. Contact one of our agents today https://drippingspringselite.com/#agents