COMFORT 590
- May 20, 2025
- 4 min read
What is Comfort 590?
Lennar has proposed a 1,100-home development on 600 acres, referred to as "Comfort 590", with plans for an additional 1,300 units. To put this in perspective, the subdivision across the street, The Reserve, is 625 acres with 35 homes, and Falling Water, a mile north on HWY 87, is 900 acres with 125 homes. These two subdivisions are all subject to Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District and have been under Stage 5 water restrictions since July 2023, classified as Drought Emergency. "The water level in the Edward's Aquifer key well began the year at it's second-lowest January 1st reading ever recorded", according to SA Express News, January 2, 2025. Lennar's first step in this process is to get a permit for wastewater disposal from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
Lennar Homes of Texas Land and Construction, LTD and Wied, Laura and Jesse, applied to TCEQ for a New Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Permit to authorize the disposal of treated wastewater at a volume not to exceed a daily average flow of 600,000 gallons per day via a discharge point that flows into an unnamed intermittent stream, thence to North Creek, thence to Segment 1806B of Cypress Creek of the Guadalupe River Basin. (Application number WQ0016644001).
The domestic wastewater treatment facility will be located approximately 5,140 feet southeast of the intersection of US Hwy 87 and Hughes Ranch Road, near the city of Comfort in Kendall County, Texas 78013. Or to put it in perspective almost directly across from the Nash’s home. The permit application can be found in the documents page at the website - https://reservepoa.wixsite.com/comfort-neighbors .
Who is opposing it? Comfort Neighbors – Residents for Responsible Growth
Bordering landowners formed a group called Comfort Neighbors. We are joined by over 300 neighbors so far and other individuals concerned about air quality, water quality, illness, and the high costs of retrofits to safeguard their wells or water systems in and around Comfort and the Hill Country.
OPPOSITION TO COMFORT 590 (Lennar Project)
There is significant opposition to Comfort 590, as was demonstrated, at two Town Hall Meetings organized by Chad Carpenter, Kendall County Commissioner Precinct 4. The first town hall meeting was on November 26, 2024, and there were over 200 area citizens were in attendance. The second town hall meeting was on January 25, 2025, and over 300 area citizens were in attendance.
Comfort is a rural, small, unincorporated community. The citizenry of Comfort is not opposed to growth but believes that growth initiatives should be implemented responsibly, with ample consideration of both infrastructure and our scarce natural resources. Some of these include:
· Water Resources & Scarcity
· Dark Sky
· Rural life
· Texas Hill Country wildlife
· Texas Hill Country springs, creeks and rivers and corresponding wildlife and vegetation
· Basic utilities including Electricity, Gas
· Social services (schools, after-school care, summer care, fire department, law enforcement, parks, etc.)
· Noise/sound pollution
· Access to our roads without further impact to safety
· MOST IMPORTANTLY, we must retain the historical architectural character of Comfort and the vast Hill Country landscapes achieved with 170 years of focus on land stewardship. This is what makes Comfort special and valued.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Visit the Comfort Neighbors website (www.ComfortNeighbors.com), review the documents, comment at the TECQ website - Navigate to https://www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/ - where you can make comments.
· Comment using permit number - WQ0016644001
· Be as specific as possible to your personal situation when illustrating your comments.
· Knowing Lennar is an applicant and will be reviewing comments, feel free to include topics beyond those of interest solely to TCEQ.
Comfort Neighbors has established GEAA (Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance) as our Fiscal Sponsor. They are a 501c3 and will accept donations to pay legal fees, expert witnesses, etc. on our behalf. They do not take administrative fees of any kind; 100% of donations will go toward the opposition of Comfort 590. Please note Comfort Neighbors or Comfort 590 Development in the comment section for funds go to the correct place.
Comfort Neighbors will host a Rally at Comfort Park
SAVE-THE-DATE – Saturday, June 7
CELEBRATE COMFORT
Please plan on attending the Celebrate Comfort Rally on Saturday, June 7, at the Comfort Park. The rally will kick off with a 5K Fun Run/Walk, the park grounds will have informational booths, native plants, rain catchment, food vendor, a midway for the kids and press conference with county officials and legislators. Register early for the 5K or to buy a rally t-shirt for yourself or one to be donated to our high school volunteers. All proceeds to Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA) fund for Comfort Neighbors. To register for the 5K Fun Run/Walk or to purchase a t-shirt, please click on the link below. All are welcome at the event (no running required). This will be a great opportunity to celebrate our community, learn about the importance of our precious resources, and hear from our county and state representatives regarding water issues.
