Sanctuary -- the latest.

Friends,

    Tuesday night, 18 November, was the 2nd meeting hosted by Sanctuary.  Over 70 people met in the Municipal Building to hear the Sanctuary developers' plans.

    With each meeting, new details come forward.

Madison Inselmann

Director of Development

Sanctuary Development, emailed the themes from Workshop #2 as they interpreted the evening:

Themes from Workshop #2

1. Sanctuary Rights-of-Way – In order to achieve a connected community with vehicular, bike, and pedestrian pathways, Sanctuary and even Main Street will want to have alternatives to the roadway designs.
2. Annexation - Annexing Sanctuary into Village contingent upon Development Agreement with Village of Salado and must be a “win-win” for both.
3. Sanctuary AND (not “or”) Salado (GROWTH) – Sanctuary’s focus on managing growth and assimilating target consumer groups that are pre-kids, families, and empty-nesters (aka, post-kids). Sanctuary expects to build 20-40 homes per year, not 100. This is going to be an exercise in craftsmanship.
4. Sanctuary AND (not “or”) Salado (CONNECTIVITY) – Linking Main Street to FM 2268 through pathways and theme remains the key issues for meeting attendees. The December 2nd meeting will devote much time to this effort.
5. Waste Water Treatment Plant – Step 1 was passing the bond. Step 2 is a plant to design and onstruct the facilities and lines. Effluent (repurposed) water that is safe will be used for streams and irrigation systems of the community.

A number of telephone calls were made to the Village Office with questions. The best answers at this point cannot be given because it is evolving with each session.  This being said, please know:

      1.  At this point, the Village is not involved in negotiations with Sanctuary.  Like you, we are listening intently to the plans.  Please, this needs to be repeated:  "We have not been and are not currently involved in negotiations."  

     2.  Our city lawyer will be involved in any negotiations.  Yes, it is costly but the Village cannot afford to make a mistake.  The intent is to be cautious.  In the future, "what we do for one developer, we have to do for all."  We must be very clear in all matters and expectations.

     3. The saying of old, "Haste makes waste," is true and it also causes life-long heartache.  Common sense, balance, and clear, intelligent thinking must be a part of progress.  

The elected village officials need you to attend these meetings and let us know what you are thinking -- concerns, questions, and opinions.  The next one is 2 December, 6 P.M., City Municipal Building. 

Some guidance:

    Listen well.

    Compare what has been said and what is being said.

    Ask hard questions, but keep them positive.  This is not a time for negative comments.

    Be Salado -- smart, intelligent, a cut-above, independent, and balanced. 

You are a great community -- a great village.  Together will protect our past, plan for the present, and design for the future.

VR/Skip