Developer pitches 163-home attainable subdivision; city and county weigh Chapter 380/381 reimbursement

A developer outlined plans for a 163‑lot subdivision near Market Street in Rockport and urged the city and Aransas County to consider a Chapter 380/381 infrastructure‑reimbursement agreement so new single‑family homes could be sold starting around $250,000.

The proposal was presented at a Feb. 2025 joint workshop of the Aransas County Commissioners and the Rockport City Council. Stuart Lynn, identified in the meeting as representing Lynn Engineering and Lynn Development, told the meeting the developer would front roughly $6.5 million in on‑site infrastructure costs and seek reimbursement of a portion of that expense over time through a local development agreement under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 380 (city) or Chapter 381 (county).

The housing assessment and need Jeff Soshern (staff member) opened the agenda item by summarizing a recently completed housing assessment for Aransas County that, he said, documented both immediate and long‑term demand for new housing. Soshern said the assessment found: a downward trend in the share of employees who both live and work in Aransas County; demand concentrated at price points at or below $300,000; roughly 1,200 new households projected over five years; and household and income data showing many local households would struggle to afford current median home prices. Soshern said, “there is no clandestine conspiracy … No deals have been made. No commitments…