Steering Kyle's future: City set to rewrite plan for guiding its rapid growth

Austin American-Statesman

Luz Moreno-Lozano
Austin American-Statesman
November 26, 2022

The vision of what Kyle could look like in 2030 is in the hands of residents this month as the city kicks off its Comprehensive Plan project.

The idea is to create a plan to guide and outline growth for the future, city officials said.  

“We know it's coming,” said City Planner Kaela Sharp. “So we will have this plan as a tool to guide that development.”  

The city last adopted a comprehensive plan in 2010 with minor updates in 2017 and again in 2019. But as the city continues to quickly grow, Assistant City Manager Amber Lewis said a new and complete rewrite is necessary.  

“Kyle is becoming more diverse in our population, and in housing and amenities,” Lewis said. “So, we know that this is the time to get the plan updated so we know how the citizens of Kyle want to see the community grow. The plan will help make sure we (as a city) are filling those needs."  

As community leaders work to accommodate growth needs with new roads, more housing developments and new schools, the challenge remains of how to preserve Kyle's small town charm. City leaders have told the American-Statesman that its a balancing an act between addressing the need for affordable housing, and services like grocery stores and restaurants, while preserving the charm that is Kyle.

Kyle’s new comprehensive plan will aim to rethink the city's vision for parks, economic development, transportation and land use, Lewis said.  

According to U.S. Census data, Kyle's population is now about 10 times larger than it was in 2000.  

In 2000, Kyle was home to just 5,349 residents. The 2020 Census count for the city was 45,828, and the most recent estimate from the Census Bureau put the population at 51,789. City officials are expecting that number to continue to grow.  

The growth trend is being felt across Hays County and most of Central Texas, as families move from Austin to the suburbs in search of more affordable housing and good schools that are still accessible for daily commutes to work in Austin.  

Hays County in 2000 was home to 97,589 residents. That number jumped to 241,067 in 2020, a nearly 150% increase, according to U.S. Census data.  The most recent estimate from the Census Bureau put the county's population at 255,397.

Similar steps elsewhere in Hays County 

Kyle's move to rethink its growth plan follows in the footsteps of another Hays County city. Dripping Springs in April went through a similar process of updating its comprehensive plan as rapid growth continues to change the city and create new challenges. 

In 2020, Dripping Springs had 4,951 residents, which was up from 1,578 residents in 2000, a more than 200% increase. That growth is not expected to slow down.  

In April, Dripping Springs city officials said the goal was to establish priorities for the area’s future land use and major development projects. The plan will help guide real estate, infrastructure investments, economic development, and zoning. It will also incorporate the Transportation Master Plan and the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. 

Community feedback is still being evaluated.  

The Dripping Springs school district has also been grappling with how to address rapid growth within its student population as a result, but all three bond measures were rejected by voters in November. The city has been wrestling with the expansion of its wastewater treatment plant, and even temporarily halted development, as growth continues. That moratorium expired in September, although challenges still exist.  

San Marcos is also working to rewrite its comprehensive plan, which was adopted in 2013. It will set the goals and visitor for the future of the city for the next 20 years.  Long the largest city in Hays County, San Marcos has seen its population grow from 44,894 in 2010 to more than 68,000, according to the most recent estimates from the Census Bureau.

Roadways, land use among top issues

Sorting out issues related to transportation and land use will be high among the priorities for the city's new plan.

Kyle adopted a transportation plan in 2019, but residents will have a chance to give another round of feedback on transportation needs. It will also take into account the $294.4 million road bond package that was recently approved by voters.  

A land use fiscal analysis will also be part of the planning process, which Lewis said will determine what is the best economic use for a property. She said this will help determine the best zoning for a property whether it be commercial, residential or mixed-use.

"That will help guide the land's end use and give us real data on its economic impact, which will mean a brighter future for Kyle," Sharp said.

Some residents and city leaders have expressed the need to improve resources and services on the east side of Interstate 35, where a lot of the growth is being pushed and where a majority Latino families live, and that there is a need for libraries, community centers and basic city infrastructure to serve families on that side of town.

Lewis said with the new road bond projects the hope is that it will open up connectivity to that part of the city, which will not only improve access to existing resources, but will also create additional opportunities on that side of town.  

“Citizen engagement is one of the key aspects of the comprehensive plan,” Sharp said. “The plan is meant to guide future growth and development, and should represent the wants and needs of residents and community members.” 

To do that, Sharp said, the city needs to have as much citizen participation as possible.  

Through Dec. 30, residents can take the survey to give feedback about how Kyle should grow. Residents can also learn and give feedback at Santa’s Arrival on Dec. 1 from 4- 9 p.m. at Mary Kyle Hartson Park, 101 S. Burleson St.  or at an open house on Dec. 10 from 9 a.m.- noon at the Kyle Public Works Building, 520 FM 150.