The Buda City Council approved a contract to Kending Keast Collaborative for a comprehensive update of the city’s Unified Development Code, or UDC, at a Feb. 17 meeting. The contract may not exceed $242,260.

The big picture: The comprehensive update to the UDC is meant to align city development code with the goals and standards detailed in other long-term planning documents, according to agenda documents, including:

• "Our Buda, Our Future" 2024 Comprehensive Plan
• Trails Master Plan
• 2023 Downtown Master Plan

From western wear to sauna therapy and more, here are the latest businesses to open in the San Marcos, Buda and Kyle areas.

The Soccer Factory: A one-stop shop for soccer fanatics now sits in the Tanger Outlets. The store offers footwear for all playing fields, licensed jerseys, apparel, equipment, soccer balls and goalie attire. Shoppers can get customized gear and order in bulk as well.

• Opened Feb. 14 in San Marcos

• Opened Jan. 5 in Buda

• Opened in January in Kyle

Check out six upcoming, ongoing or completed transportation projects across the Austin metro.

Upcoming projects

Old Fitzhugh Road
Project: The city of Dripping Springs is aiming to beautify Old Fitzhugh Road while improving traffic flow, pedestrian access and connectivity. 
Update: Per city officials, Old Fitzhugh Road will be restricted to one-way operations throughout construction. Driveway closures and reconstruction of private driveways will be coordinated with property owners before construction.

• Timeline: spring 2026-spring 2028
• Cost: $4.7 million
• Funding source: city of Dripping Springs, Hays County Parks and Open Space Grant, TxDOT

Texas held its primary elections on March 3, with Republican and Democratic voters selecting their parties’ nominees for scores of federal, state and local seats. Yet for some candidates, a major hurdle still remains before the November election.

The overview: Dozens of primary races are headed to May runoffs after no candidate picked up more than half of the vote, triggering an overtime round between the two highest-performing candidates.

The details:  Texas’ runoff election is set for May 26, the day after Memorial Day. Early voting runs from May 18-22, per the secretary of state.

State law requires primary candidates to receive more than 50% of the vote to advance to a general election, meaning a candidate must earn a majority of the vote—not just the highest number of votes—to win their primary outright. This rule means crowded races in Texas primaries and special elections frequently result in runoffs.

In those races, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff.

Keep reading to learn about voting in the runoffs and who's on the ballot.