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Developers with Del Webb at Veramendi broke ground on the community's amenity center at the end of October, celebrating the milestone with a special ceremony Nov. 6, PulteHomes Marketing Manager Cherri Kuhns said in an email to Community Impact.

Del Webb at Veramendi is a new 55-plus community that broke ground in Q4 of 2023, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.

The overview: The 12,000-square-foot amenity center will offer a resort-style pool, fitness center, pickleball and bocce courts, a yoga lawn and walking trails. While construction is underway, residents can enjoy Del Webb’s Lifestyle Haus which is operating as a temporary social hub for residents.

The amenity center is anticipated to be completed by mid-2027, Kuhns said in the email.

New Braunfels City Council approved the second and final reading of an ordinance rezoning a 72.097-acre property east of the Walmart Distribution Center at a regular meeting Dec. 8, in hopes of allowing for the expansion of the regional hub.

Some details: The property is owned by the Frederick Frueholz, Jr. Estate and is located between I-35 and FM 1101. Walmart Stores East, a wholly owned subsidiary of Walmart Inc., requested that the property be rezoned from Agricultural to Light Industrial, according to a presentation to City Council on Nov. 24. 

The rezoning supports a multimillion-dollar investment in the company’s New Braunfels distribution and transportation complex, which opened in 1988 and now spans over 1 million square feet, Ivan Jaime, Walmart’s director of government and public affairs, said.

While full design plans will follow in later permitting stages, the rezoning will allow the company to finalize the acquisition of the 72-acre tract of land to expand its truck and trailer operations, increase distribution capacity and incorporate additional logistics technology, according to the presentation.

A New Braunfels-based clothing designer has opened its first brick-and-mortar at 1623 New Braunfels St. in Gruene.

Sunshine Tienda opened its brick-and-mortar location Nov. 28 after more than a decade selling clothing online.

"We wanted to create a place where people could step directly into the world of Sunshine Tienda and feel that ‘vacation happy’ spirit in person," co-founders Laura and Amanda Ernst told Community Impact.

The pair also said they want to continue building in-person connections with the local community.

What they offer: Sunshine Tienda offers a variety of women’s and children’s summer-inspired clothing and accessories.

"Locals get instant access to everything Sunshine Tienda like the experience of finding the perfect fit hat and shopping for in-store exclusive products," Ernst said.

The shop also sells select jewelry, bags, shoes, dresses and more. 

• 1623 New Braunfels St., New Braunfels

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveiled a plan Dec. 9 to further raise property tax exemptions for Texas homeowners and lower the age at which Texans qualify for additional tax relief during the 2027 state legislative session.

The details: Deemed “Operation Double Nickel,” Patrick’s three-part plan asks state lawmakers to:

• Raise the property tax exemption on a Texas homeowner’s main residence, known as a homestead exemption, by $40,000
• Allow homeowners who are at least 55 years old to qualify for a larger exemption reserved for seniors and people with disabilities
• Pass legislation to drive down property taxes charged by local governments