Earlier this week, the Bravo network announced an upcoming reality TV show set to be filmed in and around Boerne.
City of Boerne staff and elected officials have received many questions following the announcement. City Manager Ben Thatcher addressed the announcement at the May 12 City Council meeting and explained the City’s involvement in the upcoming production.
Statement from City Manager Ben Thatcher
Yesterday, a national television network announced a new reality television production with a working title that references Boerne. The City of Boerne learned about this project at essentially the same time the public did, through the public announcement. The City of Boerne is not producing, sponsoring, endorsing, casting, or otherwise partnering in this television production.
Following the announcement, a production manager contacted our Parks Department with a film permit inquiry. Based on that initial conversation, staff understand that the production currently anticipates filming primarily at residential homes, with possible occasional filming involving cast members exiting vehicles, walking in the downtown area, or dining at local restaurants. The production manager indicated that they do not anticipate needing to close streets.
That is the extent of the City’s direct communication at this point. No formal permit application has been submitted, and no street closures, park closures, or use of City property have been approved by the City for this production.
Community Concern
I want to acknowledge the concern we have heard from residents. We understand that concern because so little is known about the project at this time. What we do know, is that our neighbors care deeply about Boerne, its character, and the way our name is used. We take immense pride in our community and what it represents.
Boerne is far more than a storyline. Boerne is a real community made up of families, neighborhoods, small businesses, churches, volunteers, public servants, and people who work hard every day to make this a special place. That is the Boerne our residents know, value, and help sustain every day.
City’s Role in TV/Film Production
I also want to clarify the City’s role. Boerne is a Film Friendly Texas community – as certified by the Texas Film Commission in the office of the governor. In 2021, the City Council adopted filming guidelines to manage filming activity in a way that protects residents, businesses, public property, and public health, safety, and welfare.
That certification and those guidelines should not be understood as an endorsement of any particular production. They are a regulatory framework.
Private filming on private property does not generally require the City’s permission simply because a production company is filming.
The City becomes involved when filming activity requires use of public property, public streets, rights-of-way, parks, public facilities, City equipment or personnel, traffic control, or creates impacts that fall under City ordinances and policies.
If formal requests are submitted, they will be reviewed through the City’s normal processes and in accordance with applicable law. The City’s review must be based on the operational and legal standards in our ordinances and policies, not on the viewpoint, storyline, or editorial choices of a production.
It is also important to remember that the greater Boerne community is much larger than the municipal boundaries of the City of Boerne. As I have shared on multiple occasions, the City of Boerne covers approximately 12 square miles, while the greater Boerne area associated with the two Boerne ZIP codes covers more than 150 square miles.
Because Boerne is the primary incorporated city in Kendall County, many activities and public conversations in the broader area are often associated with Boerne, even when they occur outside the City’s corporate limits. Based on the limited information shared with staff, it appears likely that a significant portion of this production activity may fall into that same category and occur outside the City’s jurisdiction.
Boerne remains open to responsible film, media, and creative projects that are respectful of our residents, businesses, neighborhoods, and public spaces. At the same time, the City does not control how a private television network markets or edits a program. What we do control is how we protect the public interest and how we continue to tell the true story of Boerne.
Moving Forward
We will continue to monitor the situation, respond appropriately to resident questions, and keep the Council informed if any formal permit applications or operational requests are submitted.
Most importantly, we will continue doing the work that actually defines Boerne: providing excellent public service, supporting our neighborhoods and businesses, protecting our quality of life, and preserving the community character that our residents value.
