Weslaco planners report growth; wastewater plant capacity prompts moratorium on some multifamily approvals

City planning staff presented a 2024 growth map at a June 5 workshop and warned that growth — especially recent single‑family and multifamily projects in the Milano/southwest area — is straining wastewater capacity and school planning.

The city presenter (Rebecca) said many new lots are coming online in the southwest and that builders are converting some recent subdivisions from multifamily to single‑family because single‑family homes are selling more readily. Rebecca said a typical subdivision infrastructure timeline is roughly six months from start of infrastructure work to completion of on‑site work.

Mayor (presiding) and staff said the South Wastewater Treatment Plant is operating at roughly 70–73% of capacity; as a result the city has a moratorium affecting some multifamily connections until plant upgrades and ordinance updates are completed. The city and district agreed to improve information sharing so the school system can better track occupancy (not just permits) and forecast impacts to school enrollment.

Officials discussed sending monthly reports when building permits close out (rather than only subdivision approvals) to give the district earlier notice when units reach occupancy. No ordinance changes were enacted at the workshop; staff said they will follow up with contact points and a plan for reporting occupancy and permit closures.

The city said it will continue to monitor development, share maps with the district and coordinate on school‑boundary or capacity planning where rapid growth is likely to affect enrollment.