Buda council approves rezoning, incentives and policy changes; multiple development and public-safety measures cleared

Buda — The Buda City Council on April 14 approved a series of ordinances and resolutions covering rezonings, economic development incentives, environmental waivers and municipal policies.

The actions included rezoning about 43.8 acres near Interstate 35 from Business (B3) to Light Industrial (LI); authorizing a local resolution supporting US Foods’ application for a Texas Enterprise Zone; rezoning and a water-quality waiver for a portion of Johnson High School to accommodate planned campus improvements; updates to the city’s sign code to move toward International Dark Sky Association compliance (with one provision removed); pay adjustments for Buda Police Department staff; and two economic-development incentive agreements. Council also authorized purchase of a small parcel for drainage-area buyouts and appointed members to a historic‑preservation ad hoc committee.

Why it matters: The approvals aim to expand Buda’s industrial and commercial tax base, facilitate planned school improvements for Hays Consolidated ISD and allow the city to tighten outdoor-lighting controls as part of a dark‑sky certification push. Several measures include conditions requiring future site plans, traffic or water‑quality approvals before construction may proceed.

Key outcomes (votes at a glance) — each item below was approved by the City Council, as recorded in the April 14 transcript:

• Rezoning, approximately 43.818 acres east of I‑35 (Tejas Real Estate/targeted for advanced manufacturing): Ordinance adopted to change zoning from Interstate‑35 Business (B3) to Light Industrial (LI). Council discussion noted…