Survey: Horseshoe Bay residents want more places to eat, shop

HORSESHOE BAY, Texas (KXAN) -- People living in Horseshoe Bay said they want more entertainment, public parks and major grocery stores.

The City's Land Use Development Advisory Committee conducted a survey to find out what residents wanted to do with the city's undeveloped land and extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The survey received more than 1,000 responses to its 13 questions. Survey takers were largely full-time residents with a fairly even split between those who lived in the city for 15 or more years, six to 15 years and one to five years.

One of the questions asked people what they'd like to see 10 years from now along SH 71 between Marble Falls and FM 2831. At the top of the list was "restaurants/entertainment venues," "public parks/green spaces/recreational facilities" and "major retail stores/major grocery stores."

Horseshoe Bay City Manager Jeff Koska said people didn't want big box stores, but instead more boutique and small local businesses instead.

According to the survey, people also supported a "City Center District" for community gatherings like Farmers' markets, entertainment, and neighborhood businesses.

Along with their hopes for the future, survey takers also ranked the city's most critical issues as well. A majority said it was water, followed by overpopulation, the loss of control over land use and traffic congestion.

"Everybody is concerned about the future of our water here," Koska said. "That is part of what we will develop in our comprehensive plan on how subdivisions are built. Trying ways to conserve it and reuse it the best way we can with what we have."

Koska said even with growth, the community wanted to stay true to its identity as a Lakeside resort community.

"It's kind of a leisure environment," Koska said. "We have a lot of golf courses, and people like to be outside, a lot of walking, and so they want to keep it that way."