The Burnet City Council recently approved a zoning change for a parcel of land located at the northern corner of CR 108 and N. Water Street at a March 10 council meeting from agricultural to light commercial that will allow for development of basic retail or office spaces.
The applicant had originally requested a “C-2” medium commercial zoning to construct a convenience store with the sale of gasoline, but was instead approved a “C-1” light commercial permit for a basic retail space barring gasoline sales due to community feedback.
The request was subject to a public hearing at the council meeting, and drew opposition from community members who pointed towards increased traffic, safety concerns, and alcohol and tobacco sales in proximity to Burnet High School as hesitations. Several residents sent letters of opposition to the council beforehand.
“This is the third rezoning attempt for these applicants,” reads a letter from community members Nikki and Chris Castle. “Prior denials were based on road condition, traffic safety, and compatibility. Concerns regarding noise, light, and odor also remain unaddressed.”
The two zoning attempts prior to the one presented to council on March 10 were for a “C-2” zoning to create a truck stop and a “C-1” zoning to create a convenience store. Both requests, which included a conditional use permit that would have allowed the sites to sell gasoline, were denied.
Burnet Mayor Gary Wideman explained that the council’s decision to deny the latest zoning request and counter with the light commercial “C-1” zoning was the result of the widespread community concern.
“My biggest reason I voted no (on the “C-2” permit) was simply because I had about 30 emails from people that live over in Highland Oaks, and they don’t want it,” Wideman said.
Mayor Wideman told DailyTrib that it was only a matter of time before the property was rezoned to commercial use after already being denied two rezoning requests.
“(The applicant) has done everything we’ve asked them to do and it’s been 100 percent correct,” Wideman said. “The zoning was going to happen one way or another because it was an agricultural zone that’s going to be commercial in the future.”
For more information on the zoning changes and for background on the item, view pages 25-74 of the online council meeting packet.
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Below is the weekly schedule of sporting events for Burnet High School for the week of March 16-22. Tournaments are all-day events unless otherwise noted.
Monday, March 16
JV2 Baseball @ Salado, 4:30-9 p.m.
Varsity Lady Dawg Soccer @ China Spring, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
Officials in Horseshoe Bay say some residents may have received a duplicate utility billing notice in the mail due to a processing error.
According to a March 12 social media post by the City, the billing service provider confirmed the second notice was generated accidentally because of an internal IT issue. The provider acknowledged the mistake and said the duplicate mailing was not intended.
Residents are being told to disregard the second notice. Officials say no additional charges were added and account balances have not changed.
Anyone with questions can contact the Utility Billing Department at (830) 598-8741 and select option 1 for billing assistance.
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Burnet County is asking residents to avoid any outdoor activity that could cause sparks as strong winds, hot temperatures, and low humidity increase the risk of wildfires. Burnet County currently has a burn ban in effect that prohibits outside burning.
Authorities warned that the current weather conditions can cause even a small spark to spread rapidly. Residents are encouraged to avoid activities that could produce sparks while the elevated fire danger continues.
Wind speeds between 15-20 miles per hour are expected throughout the day, with gusts up to 35 miles per hour.
Emergency officials stressed that fires can quickly grow out of control under these conditions.
Anyone who sees smoke or flames is urged to call 911 immediately so first responders can be dispatched as soon as possible.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
The Llano County Sheriff’s Office got a new chief deputy on Monday, March 13. Sheriff Marquis Cantu swore in Michael Nix, filling the position that had been vacant for some time.
According to the Llano County Sheriff’s Office, Nix is a United States Marine Corps veteran and also had a 27-year career with the Texas Department of Public Safety, achieving the rank of captain by the end of his tenure.
Nix replaces former Chief Deputy Tracy Taylor, who was hired shortly after Cantu took office in January 2025. The LCSO did not provide comment by the time of this article’s publication on exactly when, why, or how Taylor left the department. He had been gone since at least January 2026.
The chief deputy is a hired employee of the Sheriff’s Office that serves as the right-hand-man to the elected sheriff. They handle much of the day-to-day operations of the department, serving an administrative, supervisory role over other staff.
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A Burnet County jury found on Tuesday, March 10, that Ryan Lopez, 40, of Pleasanton, was guilty of evading arrest with a motor vehicle and aggravated assault of a public servant. The crimes were linked to a 2024 incident in which Lopez led law enforcement on a dangerous, high-speed pursuit through the Hill Country that ended in an hour-long standoff.
Lopez was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $10,000 for each of his crimes, which will be served concurrently. His trial was heard by 33rd Judicial District Judge Allen Garrett and he was prosecuted by assistant district attorneys Sheri Bloom and Baron Vana of the 33rd/424th District Attorney’s Office.
Lopez was arrested on June 23, 2024. The chase began in Mason County, when he passed a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper on the shoulder of the highway at a “high rate of speed.”
Lopez refused to stop after the trooper attempted to make contact. More agencies joined the pursuit as he fled into Llano County. According to sworn testimony from officers involved in the incident, Lopez reached speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour and ran a red light at 90 mph. The chase continued through Burnet and Lampasas counties.
Of particular note in the pursuit were the actions of DPS Trooper Alexander Goch, who attempted to push Lopez off the road, putting himself in imminent danger as the driver repeatedly swerved at him. Goch was able to use his firearm to deflate one of Lopez’s tires, which allowed a spike trap in Lampasas County to ensnare the vehicle.
Ultimately, he was finally stopped in Lampasas County by the joint efforts of Llano County Sheriff’s Office deputies, DPS troopers, Burnet County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Burnet Police Department officers, and Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
“I am proud of the joint efforts of the multiple law enforcement agencies that worked together to stop this pursuit,” District Attorney Perry Thomas said in a Friday, March 13, media release.
Lopez’s high-speed chase in June 2024 drew an enormous amount of attention from Hill Country law enforcement.
The incident was seen as dire, as Lopez told officers over the phone that he was armed and had a child in the car with him during the chase. He also demanded the media come to the scene.
Once Lopez was stopped and in a standoff with law enforcement near Putters and Gutters in Lampasas, Lampasas County Sheriff Jesus “Jess” Ramos talked him down, and learned that there was no child in the vehicle, but there was a dog and an unloaded firearm.
Miraculously, there were no injuries in the ordeal and Lopez was taken into custody peacefully.
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Demolition is underway at the city-owned Hidden Falls Golf Club in Meadowlakes as work moves forward with a renovation project approved by voters in 2023, expected to be completed by September 2027.
The project will replace aging golf course facilities, located at 220 Meadowlakes Drive, with a new clubhouse complex featuring a pro shop, restaurant and bar, gym, meeting rooms, and a swimming pool about 1,000 square feet larger than the current pool.
Residents will have one final opportunity to use the putting green before it is removed during a Final Putt event at 4 p.m. on March 23.
Voters approved a $7.5 million bond on Nov. 7, 2023, which will fund construction and utility system improvements. The bond will be repaid through property taxes and utility revenue, with the average household expected to pay about $100 more per year to fund the bond payments.
City officials say the existing buildings require significant repairs. Demolition of the pro shop, pool and restaurant facilities are in progress, and a temporary pro shop is open so golf operations can continue during construction.
Once demolition is complete, crews will begin site grading and utility installation, followed by foundation work, building the structure and completing interior systems.
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The city of Burnet recently established an official downtown district spanning portions of E. Polk, S. Water, League, and Vanderveer streets. The decision was made at a Tuesday, March 10, city council meeting in an effort to revitalize the historic square.
Assistant City Manager Keith McBurnett told DailyTrib that the creation of the district will assist in a grant opportunity that the city is currently pursuing aimed at roadway renovations.
“This designation ensures all downtown roadways can be included in a downtown revitalization grant application the city is submitting, particularly focused on roadway reconstruction projects in the downtown area,” McBurnett said.
A closer look at the area of the downtown district. Google Maps
The move will also pave the way for similar grant opportunities, business incentives, and economic development programs on the square in the future.
“The downtown district provides clarity for future municipal initiatives and strengthens the city’s ability to pursue funding and strategic improvements,” reads the item brief (page 77) presented to council.
City officials have focused significant time and money on revitalization efforts as of late, including several individual business parking lots, painting, and signage improvements approved under the Economic Development Corporation’s Business Grant Program, and purchase of downtown property for parking expansion.
Per the EDC’s website, the grant program supports local commercial businesses by improving their visual appearance through a 90/10 grant of up to $10,000. Businesses are liable for the 10 percent side, and can request a larger grant at the discretion of the EDC.
News stories, staff photos, and other online content are copyrighted property of Victory Media. Reproduction in part or in whole is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.
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