The City of Boerne’s Planning and Permitting and Code Compliance departments have made great strides in efficiency, community engagement, and sustainability over the past year.
These improvements demonstrate the City’s commitment to excellence, responsible growth, and high-quality customer service by aligning with our mission to foster a well-planned, vibrant, and sustainable community.
Advancing Responsible Growth and Efficiency
Guided by the City’s core values of promoting an engaged workforce and fiscal stewardship, the Planning and Permitting departments implemented key improvements that enhance efficiency while maintaining Boerne’s small-town charm and high quality of life.
READ: City removes hundreds of tires from Boerne City Lake
Planning Department Highlights
Recent highlights from the Planning Department and its staff include:
- The employee engagement score rose to 4.38, placing the department among the top 10 in the City and demonstrating an ethos of dedication and professionalism.
- The department received the 2024 Richard R. Lillie, FAICP Planning Excellence Award for responsible planning and community stewardship.
- The subdivision review process was streamlined, allowing for faster and more effective project approvals. The times for plat reviews, including major and minor subdivisions and amending plats, we reduced between 53% and 90%. These changes have meant less waiting, smoother approvals, and responsible growth for the community.
- The Unified Development Code (UDC) and municipal regulations were updated to ensure responsible development while maintaining the City’s character, including:
- Multi-family housing regulations to balance growth and aesthetics.
- A revised sign ordinance to reduce visual clutter and preserve Boerne’s charm.
- Food truck policies to enhance dining options while ensuring safety.
- Noise regulations to protect the community’s quality of life.
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Elevating Customer Service and Engagement
With a focus on collaboration and transparency, the City has prioritized meaningful engagement with residents, businesses, and developers to ensure Boerne continues to thrive in a way that reflects community values.
- Staff hosted two roundtable discussions with the development community to improve processes and gather feedback.
- Staff held five Boerne Neighborhood Discussion meetings to foster dialogue between nearby residents and developers about future projects.
- The City partnered with MuniCode to launch an online Unified Development Code (UDC) portal, making regulations more accessible to the public.
An additional part of effective planning, came by establishing review timelines for customers, while managing an increase in new applications. Now customers can obtain a 14-day review time for a new single-family home and 24-hour turnaround time for inspections, despite both metrics increasing 125 percent and 31 percent. Similar successes have been documented with new commercial permits.
Strengthening Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
Boerne’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability is evident in new initiatives that conserve resources and preserve the region’s natural beauty.
- Watering violations decreased by 48%, reflecting greater community awareness and enforcement.
- The City secured an Apache Corp. tree grant to plant 150 native trees for riparian restoration, enhancing green spaces and flood resilience.
- Staff conducted a hazard tree survey to manage oak wilt and maintain healthy tree coverage.
- The City launched a water conservation rebate program, incentivizing customers to adopt new watering practices to conserve a precious resource.
- The City hosted a residential rainwater harvesting and turf management training session by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
READ: Grant-funded dam maintenance at Boerne City Lake reinforces environmental stewardship
A Vision for the Future
As Boerne continues to grow, its unwavering commitment to service, integrity, and responsible development continues. By streamlining its planning and permitting processes, engaging the community, and prioritizing sustainability, the City ensures that growth is thoughtful, well-managed, and aligned with the long-term vision of a resilient and thriving Boerne.
The strides made in 2024 are a testament to Boerne’s ability to adapt, innovate, and build a future that balances progress with preservation. These efforts exemplify the City’s dedication to providing high-quality services, fostering a connected community, and preserving the unique character that makes Boerne a special place to live, work, and visit.
