Court issues non-objection for Linden Ranch Apartments; developer details PILOT that returns $100,000 annually to county

The Comal County Commissioners Court approved a statement of non-objection for the proposed Linden Ranch Apartments on Loop 337, a multifamily development the developer described as a Class A project to be developed in partnership with the New Braunfels Housing Authority.

Curtis Thigpen, the managing principal and developer, told the court the deal would be structured through a Chapter 392 arrangement and include an affordable component where 50% of units would be set aside for households at or below 80% of area median income. Thigpen said the community will make an annual payment in lieu of taxes of $150,000 with a 3% annual escalation; he said roughly $100,000 of that annual amount would come back to the county.

Why it matters: The statement of non-objection is part of the process that enables the housing authority partnership and the PILOT structure; the arrangement affects county revenue flows and long-term tax status tied to the property.

Details recorded in public session: Thigpen said the PILOT is a flat amount of $150,000 annually with a 3% escalation, and that the payment obligation “lives with the land” for a 99‑year term as presented. He also said that if an owner elected to exit the program, the abatement would be lost and standard property taxes would apply. Commissioners discussed the program structure and noted the city and housing authority had already approved the proposal.

The court voted to approve the statement of non-objection with a motion from Commissioner Crownover and a second from Commissioner Webb; the motion passed in open session.

Ending: County staff will monitor the PILOT payment schedule and the agreement terms as the project proceeds through any required permitting and recording steps.