Horseshoe Bay City Council votes to annex 600 acres into city limits

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula

The City of Horseshoe Bay grew by six percent Tuesday, Feb. 16, after it annexed just over 600 acres of land from its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) into its city limits.

The annexed parcels of property represent approximately six percent of the current city, confirmed Stan Farmer, city manager.

Thousands of acres initially considered were not annexed because many property owners with agricultural exemptions signed development agreements, leaving those properties in the city’s ETJ for at least one to three years, depending on the area.

“I want it to be clear that this was a voluntary situation and not initiated by the city,” said Mayor Steve Jordan.

“I’m pleased with the response we’ve received from landowners. Offering development agreements to ag-exempt properties accomplished the goal we wanted,” Jordan said.

After the unanimous annexation vote, Jordan suggested having a party “to welcome new residents into the city, as well as ‘kissing cousins’” still in the ETJ. A date will be set and invitations sent to those property owners.

More than half of the annexed area is in The Hills subdivision, whose residents requested to become part of the city. The Hills is more densely populated than other areas that were considered.  

For more on this story, see The Highlander, Friday, Feb. 19.