The long-delayed makeover of New Braunfels' old ADM mill site just got a fresh spark. On Monday, the City Council signed off on the first reading of a rezoning that would pull about 2.11 acres of nearby land into the broader redevelopment plan, potentially tying the historic riverfront mill more tightly into the city's walkable downtown core. Final approval will hinge on a parking study and a second council vote that are already on the books.
What the Council Approved
The move advances Case SUP26-028, a request to rezone roughly 2.112 acres of property west of East San Antonio Street from C-2 and M-1 districts to MU-B with a special use permit. The new zoning would clear the way for a mix of hotel, multifamily housing, retail, office space, and structured parking. City staff backed the request with conditions that include build-to-line frontage, compatibility setbacks, and a required parking-demand study before any building permits are issued, according to the City of New Braunfels. Staff has said folding these parcels into the mill project fits with both the city’s strategic plan and the downtown implementation plan.
How It Got Here
The rezoning request headed to council after a March public hearing before the Planning Commission, which ultimately recommended approval and sent the package on for first reading this week. Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney described the proposal as “a real opportunity” that lines up with multiple city policies. The Planning Commission was not unanimous. Community Impact reported that Vice Chair Chase Taylor and Commissioner Angela Allen voted against the request, Commissioner Chad Nolte recused himself, and that ahead of the April vote the city received eight responses in favor and one opposed.
Developer Pitch and Project Pieces
Developers represented by law firm Killen, Griffin & Farrimond told city officials they need the additional parcels to keep the design language consistent across the entire riverfront site, which has been floated for a mix of restaurants, retail, office space and a boutique hotel. “We’re really trying to have a consistent zoning over the entirety of the project,” partner Ashley Farrimond told Community Impact. Earlier filings and prior coverage have outlined versions of the plan that feature several hundred parking spaces and a few hundred residential units. The San Antonio Express-News reported on an earlier site plan that included about 316 units and a garage with roughly 400 spaces.
Next Steps for Council and the Public
With the first reading approved, the rezoning ordinance is set to return for a final vote at an upcoming council meeting. Under the city’s normal schedule, the next session is Monday, May 11, when the case could be decided. The April 27 agenda packet lays out the case files, maps and staff reports that surrounding property owners and neighbors can review ahead of the hearing, according to the city’s posted docket. The full set of documents is available through the City of New Braunfels.
Why It Matters for Downtown
The ADM property sits inside Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 3. That means any jump in taxable value from the redevelopment can be captured and plowed back into public projects inside the zone instead of flowing straight into the general fund. The Texas Comptroller explains that a TIRZ works by redirecting the additional tax revenue generated by new development to pay for infrastructure and other improvements in that area. City officials have pointed to that financing tool as a way the mill project could help pay for sidewalks, drainage upgrades and better pedestrian connections tied to the riverfront.
