Landowner Alert System 12-8-20
Conservation Development:
As everyone who works and lives in Hays County knows, we are experiencing rapid growth. The population in 2025 is expected to be 229,100 and increase to 633,000 in 2045. How do we plan for this rapid growth and protect our beloved natural resources and open spaces? One answer is to use and incentivize conservation development (“conservation design”) to plan for residential growth and the preservation of open space. To learn more about conservation development, check out these articles and Hays County’s recent efforts:
Hays County is working on conservation development guidelines for the County. Gap Strategies held a livestream event on October 6th with Randall Arendt, and Hays County Commissioners Lon Shell and Walt Smith. You can watch the livestream by visiting: www.haysconservation.com
Cassie Gresham, Principal, Attorney & Counselor
Conservation Development in Texas – A Resource by the LBJ Wildflower Center
Conservation development is a method of developing land for housing in a way that preserves open space for future generations. Typically, it involves builidng homes in groups with smaller lot sizes, protecting natural features and open space for use by all the residents. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center defines conservation development as a development that seeks to… READ MORE
Protecting Land Through Conservation Development: Lessons from Land Trust Experience
Around for about 40 years, conservation development projects that combine real-estate development with conservation of land and other natural resources—is not new. But how prevalent is it? From October 2007 through April 2010, Jeffrey Milder, then a researcher at Cornell University, and Story Clark, a conservation finance expert, decided to find out… READ MORE
______________________________________________________________________________
Estate Planning:
The holidays are typically a time when families get together. This year, we recognize that some family visits will be over video calls rather than in-person. Regardless of how or when you get together, communicating with loved ones about estate planning and the possibility of needing long-term care shows your love and concern. A thorough and clear estate plan avoids confusion and can save family resources. During this time, I encourage you to consider communicating with loved ones to ensure an easier transition later. If you have questions, or would like to speak to me about your family’s estate planning needs, please contact me at (512) 894-5426 or [email protected].
Margaret Menicucci, Attorney & Counselor
‘Tis the Season to Start Talking
Family visits in the next few weeks are prime time for discussions about parents’ long-term care and their legacy – how they want to pass their assets to family and their community. Certainly, an estate plan provides the critical tools for directing the care of aging parents and for distributing wealth when they die… READ MORE
Do You Have a Flight Plan?
A flight plan is simply a folder that contains important documents, key information that heirs may need to access upon someone’s death, hospitalization, or other incapacitation. Taking the time to gather up important documents and critical information is one of the best gifts that a person can give… READ MORE
______________________________________________________________________________
Aggregate Production Operations:
Aggregate Production Operations (APOs) include rock quarries, gravel pits, borrow pits, and similar aggregate production operations. These facilities continue to be in the spotlight as landowners, landowner groups, and regulators grapple with the impacts on neighbors and the environment. This is an ongoing issue of interest for us, and we will provide updates on what this means for landowners neighboring APOs. Braun & Gresham can help on how best to protect your land. Call (512) 894-5426 or email [email protected] to discuss your rights.
Patrick L. Reznik, Attorney & Counselor
As Texas Grows, Communities Face an Unwelcome Neighbor: Concrete Companies. Homeowners Have Few Options.
As the state’s population continues to grow, so too does the need for roads, bridges and sidewalks. It’s driving demand for the dusty business of concrete, cement, sand and other aggregate materials, which are being stored, transported and mixed closer and closer to residential areas… READ MORE
Locals Shaken by Growing Rock Mining Industry in Williamson County, Push for Reform
Williamson County is home to the most rock mining operations in Texas, which has led community members to seek stronger regulations as the negative impacts of the industry move closer to home. The county currently has 34 such operations… READ MORE
______________________________________________________________________________
Subscribe to receive the LAS newsletter
Braun & Gresham offers the Landowner Alert System to help our clients and colleagues stay informed on issues affecting landowners and their land. This free e-mail service comes out once every two weeks and gives subscribers exclusive access to a range of information including announcements about important changes in the law, upcoming educational seminars, insightful blogs by our legal team, and other current articles related to Texas land and law. Anyone interested in land will benefit.