Bulverde council adopts Sunrise 2050 plan, approves election orders and declines to renew city manager contract

Bulverde City Council on Feb. 11 adopted an updated comprehensive plan called Sunrise 2050, amended the city’s master thoroughfare plan to match recent county right-of-way changes, set regular and special election orders for May 3, approved a joint election agreement, approved sign-code changes to allow additional curbside-pickup signage, and voted not to renew the city manager’s employment agreement when it expires May 24, 2025.

The council opened and closed a public hearing on the comprehensive-plan update before voting to adopt Sunrise 2050, which city staff described as an update rather than a full rewrite of the previous Sunrise 2025 plan. Resident Henry White and other commenters urged more outreach to property owners and expressed concerns about proposed future roads; council members and staff said additional outreach and edits had been part of the process.

Planning staff told the council the plan was revised to change a commercial designation along U.S. 281 to local commercial and mixed use, responding to council direction. The council then approved the plan by voice vote following public testimony.

Separately, the council considered an amendment to the city’s master thoroughfare (major streets) plan to align certain right-of-way widths with a recent Comal County update. Staff said the amendment mainly expanded designations on Highway 46, parts of FM 1863 and Smithson Valley Road from 20-foot to 50-foot categories in places the county now lists as major arterials. Council members discussed future bridge realignments and coordination with county planning; the ordinance to amend the master thoroughfare plan passed on first reading.

On signage, the council heard a request tied to a Chick-fil-A application to reduce the required spacing between drive-through menu boards from 18 feet to 16 feet and to authorize up to six curbside pickup signs. Planning staff said the current sign code provides no special-authority process for daily movable curbside signs and recommended creating a mechanism to authorize such signs without requiring a variance each time. The council approved the code amendments after discussion about traffic stacking and the need for a firm mechanism to control movable signs.

On elections, the council adopted the standard ordinance ordering the May 3, 2025 regular election for mayor and council places 1 and 2, and separately ordered a special election for May 3, 2025 to fill the unexpired term for council place 3 after the passing of Councilmember Charles Hughes. The council also approved a joint-election agreement with the county elections office at an estimated cost of $5,092.

During executive session the council considered personnel and legal matters. In open session the council voted to instruct the city manager to work with the city attorney on personnel items and then, after a separate executive discussion regarding the city manager’s employment, the council voted to not renew the city manager’s professional services agreement when it expires May 24, 2025.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, investment report): approved (voice vote). - Ordinance adopting Sunrise 2050 comprehensive-plan update: approved (voice vote). - Ordinance amending master thoroughfare plan (right-of-way updates to align with Comal County): approved (voice vote). - Ordinance amending sign code (drive-through spacing and curbside pickup signs): approved (voice vote). - Recognition of vacancy for Council Place 3 (death of Councilmember Charles Hughes): approved (voice vote). - Ordinance ordering regular election (May 3, 2025): approved (voice vote). - Ordinance ordering special election for Place 3 (May 3, 2025): approved (voice vote). - Joint election services agreement with county (estimated $5,092): approved (voice vote). - Motion to not renew the city manager’s contract when it expires May 24, 2025: approved (voice vote).

Why it matters: The comprehensive-plan adoption and thoroughfare updates set the city’s policy framework for land use and future street rights-of-way and affect how staff and developers will design projects and request future funding. The elections ordinances set a schedule for voters to fill open seats; the council’s decision not to renew the city manager’s contract establishes a personnel transition timeline.

What’s next: Staff said it will circulate the adopted Sunrise 2050 documents and continue coordination with county planners on thoroughfare alignment. Election filing periods and early-voting locations will be published per the adopted orders. The council gave staff direction to develop a sign-authorization mechanism for movable curbside signs; council and staff also signaled future follow-up on several thoroughfare alignments and citizen concerns raised during the public hearing period.

Ending: Council members closed the meeting after routine follow-ups and adjourned at about 10:16 p.m.