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New Braunfels looks to expand free parking for disabled placard holders at river areas

Changes could be coming to parking around river access points in New Braunfels.

New Braunfels City Council approved an ordinance on first reading that would exempt individuals displaying a valid disabled license plate or placard from parking fees at city-owned river area paid parking locations March 23.

What to know: Individuals with a disabled veteran license plate would continue to receive free parking under the existing exceptions already in place, according to agenda documents.

New Braunfels residents with a valid resident river parking pass would also continue to park for free at all river parking areas, except Prince Solms Park, agenda documents state.

City Council approved a similar exception for downtown parking in November, which allowed those with a valid disabled license plate or placard to park for free in the downtown paid parking zone, as previously reported by Community Impact. The ordinance better aligns river area parking exceptions with the previous change, creating a consistent policy across all city-owned paid parking locations, agenda documents state.

 
Around Town
11 events on tap for the New Braunfels area this April, early May

From the annual Earth Day celebration to outdoor concerts and festivals, check out these spring events happening soon across the New Braunfels area this year.

This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.

April
Senior Expo
This expo will showcase local and regional health care professionals, senior services, living communities and more. There will also be hourly giveaways and seminars available to guests.

  • April 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • New Braunfels Civic & Convention Center, 375 S. Castell Ave., New Braunfels

May
Saengerfest
Showcasing craft beer and wines from the region, this festival will have live music, shopping specials and activities across downtown.
  • May 2, noon-10 p.m.
  • Main Plaza, 500 Main Plaza, New Braunfels

3rd Annual Mayfest
The festival features home tours of Mayfair, the new community north of New Braunfels plus food trucks, family activities and more.
  • May 9, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Mayfair, 5708 Guthrie Trail, New Braunfels
 
Stay In The Know
NBISD approves $1.55M purchase of school buses before potential price increase

The New Braunfels ISD board of trustees approved the purchase of 10 school buses March 16 ahead of potential price increases.

The $1.55 million purchase from Longhorn Bus Sales is part of the district's third and final bus acquisition. The purchase is funded through the district's voter-approved 2024 bond, Proposition A, according to board documents.

By the numbers: The 2024 bond included funding for the purchase of new school buses to maintain and replace the district's aging fleet, board documents state.

The purchase includes seven 77-passenger buses for general education routes for $1.13 million, two 54-passenger special needs buses for $318,410 and one 14-passenger special needs bus at $110,985, board documents state.

District administration is expediting the purchase in response to projected price increases anticipated to take effect in January 2027 as a result of more stringent federal emissions standards, Flores said.

 

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Art for Autism

Baseball for Babies

March 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
San Antonio

March 28, 2 p.m.
Boerne

Learn more.

Learn more.

 

Spring Egg Hunt

Spring Fever Fest

March 28, 10:15 a.m.-noon
New Braunfels

March 28-29, times vary
San Antonio

Learn more.

Learn more.

 
To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas
Beginning March 31, most smokable cannabis products will be illegal in Texas

On March 31, Texas’ roughly 9,000 licensed consumable hemp retailers will face sweeping regulations, including a more than 3,000% increase in annual licensing fees and a ban on most smokable cannabis products.

The overview: The new rules, which also include age verification requirements, stricter packaging guidelines and more rounds of product testing, were originally proposed in December. The Texas Department of State Health Services, which regulates the state’s hemp industry, adopted the rules March 2.

The debate: Supporters of the increased regulations previously said they hoped the changes would result in more comprehensive oversight of Texas’ hemp industry and improve consumer safety. 

Some experts said they were concerned the new rules were taking effect too quickly and could lead some hemp businesses to close their doors.

"It is really tragic that these entrepreneurs are being faced with this, especially in a state like Texas that touts being pro-business ... and here we are shutting down businesses and relegating consumers to an illicit market," said Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center.

 

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General Manager

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