Flatrock Springs Planned Mixed-Use Development Receives Zoning Approval

MARBLE FALLS, Texas, Dec. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- At last night's Marble Falls City Council meeting, Flatrock Springs' application to rezone 1,030 acres at the northwest corner of Texas 71 and U.S. 281 to a Planned Development District was approved unanimously. SouthStar Development Partners, the developers of Flatrock Springs, have worked closely with city officials to gain this necessary zoning approval, and all parties involved are enthusiastic about the future of the region.

"We're thrilled to see Flatrock Springs begin to come to fruition after years of working with the City of Marble Falls to ensure that the development will meet the current and future needs of the rapidly growing area," Thad Rutherford, vice president of project management for SouthStar, said. "Phase one of the Planned Development District will predominantly include retail and commercial development closest to the major highways (Texas 71 and U.S. 281), which we strongly believe will be a welcome addition to the high-traffic intersection as this area continues to expand."

Flatrock Springs' zoning application, which is the largest in Marble Falls' history, went before the city's planning and zoning commission last month and was recommended for approval by the commission before moving on to the city council for a final decision.

When complete, Flatrock Springs will include more than 700,000 square feet of retail, commercial and office space that will be part of a bustling village center. The residential component will consist of approximately 2,500 living units, and housing options will include single-family homes, apartments, town homes and condominiums. Additionally, several parcels of land within the development will be set aside for a regional park, community event lawn and nature trails, all of which will draw traffic to the area.

"Marble Falls is already a regional hub, and a development as large and multipurpose as Flatrock Springs will provide additional incentive for businesses and families alike to establish themselves in the area," Ralph Hendricks, Marble Falls City Manager, said.

Flatrock Springs be will located at a high-access interchange in one of the fasting-growing communities in the Texas Hill Country and therefore serves as an ideal location for both commercial and residential development. Additionally, plans are underway for the Scott & White Lake of the Hills Regional Medical Center, which will be located nearby on an adjacent property and will share the entry boulevard with Flatrock Springs.

Marble Falls is located 45 miles northwest of Austin and 85 miles north of San Antonio. According to the City of Marble Falls, 7,200 people live within the city limits while nearly 63,000 people live within a 20-mile radius. Marble Falls and the surrounding area is gaining population at a rapid pace. The population within a 20-mile radius of the city is expected to grow by 12.5 percent from 2009 to 2014, according to the Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation.

SouthStar Development Partners

SouthStar Development Partners Inc. has developed communities in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Horseshoe Bay, Texas, and throughout Florida. The firm's primary activities include the analysis, financing, acquisition, planning and marketing of real estate for both residential and commercial uses. Communities in the Dallas area include The Trails of West Frisco, a master-planned golf course community with a community center and an extensive walking trail system; Pearson Farms, a community with lakes, walking trails and open spaces; and Country Club Ridge, featuring home sites overlooking The Trails Golf Course in Frisco. The company is also developing Skywater Over Horseshoe Bay in Central Texas. For more information, visit www.southstardevelopment.com.

SOURCE SouthStar Development Partners Inc.