New Braunfels City Council denied an appeal made on behalf of Lennar, a homebuilder, for partial reimbursement of park development fees during a regular meeting Aug. 10.

The appeal request was made for Navarro Ranch, a single-family subdivision in the Guadalupe County extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The context: As part of the city’s parkland dedication and development ordinance, the developer was required to either:

Dedicate 7.85 acres for a public park
Forgo the land dedication and pay the fees
Set aside 7.85 acres and construct a private park to be eligible for 75% reimbursement of the park development fee

New Braunfels Deputy City Manager Jordan Matney said Lennar initially indicated that they would set aside acreage for a private park. In 2019, the private park—which was 3.78 acres at the time—did not meet the ordinance requirements to receive reimbursement.

Between 2019 and 2023, Lennar submitted multiple plat applications stating the intent to set aside land for a private park to be platted with future phases of subdivision, which were non-compliant with the city’s subdivision platting ordinance. 

An Australian-themed sports bar is coming soon to New Braunfels.

The overview: The Roo Pub has plans to open at 2055 Central Plaza, Ste. 102 on Sept. 1, a Roo Pub spokesperson told Community Impact. The sports bar will take the place of Double Schotts Sports Bar & Grill, which closed in April.

The Roo Pub is part of the Ingram Bar Group, which is owned by Chip Ingram. The bar will have TVs showing various sporting events and sell bar food, draft beers and cocktails.

• 2055 Central Plaza, Ste. 102, New Braunfels

Hays CISD received a 'B' for the 2025-26 school year in the Texas Education Agency A-F accountability ratings. The district scored 81 out of 100 possible points.

The big picture: The results released on Aug. 14 signify the district’s fifth consecutive 'B' rating.

HCISD’s ratings include:

• Two 'A' campuses
• 15 'B' campuses
• Nine 'C' campuses
• One 'D' campus
• One 'F' campus

Republican Mark Teixeira and Democrat Kristin Hook are running for the U.S. House of Representatives District 21 seat.

Teixeira advanced from a crowded Republican primary field, while Hook beat two other contenders in the Democratic primary.

Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, visit www.communityimpact.com.