Castroville population explosion causing serious growing pains
Published: Thu, 06/01/23
Castroville population explosion causing serious growing pains
Right now, about 3,300 people call Castroville home. Mayor Darrin Schroeder says the population will easily double in five to seven years thanks to the city of San Antonio’s growth.
(SBG Photo)
NEWS4SA
by Mariza Mendoza
CASTROVILLE, Texas - Some San Antonians are tired of the big city and say they're moving west to Castroville. The city’s mayor tells us how he’s making sure the town keeps its small town charm.
"There’s lots of things that attract people to our area, and I don’t blame them for coming!"
Right now, about 3,300 people call Castroville home. Mayor Darrin Schroeder says the population will easily double in five to seven years thanks to the city of San Antonio’s growth. Mayor Schroeder explains there are two active subdivisions being built in the city. One development will add about 950 homes, the other will add another 80 homes.
Schroeder says most of the people moving here are San Antonians looking to move out of the big city for lower property taxes and a small town feel. He’s making sure the right developers come in to keep the town’s old town charm.
“We've had several other developers come in that have asked for development agreements to build homes and businesses, so we're trying to work with them to try and make sure that we have the right infrastructure in place and the city can support it ,” said Schroeder.
The mayor says managing development is key to preserving the city’s heritage and shape its future.
"We’re trying to manage that and really make sure they’re thinking in terms of decades and generations," explained Schroeder.
Sixth generation residents like Bradford Boehme hopes new development will be thoughtful to future generations to come.
"So whatever comes after the development is something we have to live with and we want to make sure its something good," says Boehme.
He says city council just approved a Unified Development Code and use development agreements a month ago to encourage better planning and to prevent urban sprawl.
As more and more developers acquire land around Castroville, Schroeder and council members feel a sense of urgency to get ahead of the sprawl by knowing what to require from developers.
"That will prevent cookie cutter developments. It’s similar to Castroville so its like living in a village, so you’ll have people interacting with each other all the time," says Boehme.