PETITION TO BLANCO COUNTY COMMISSIONER TOMMY WEIR AND THE BLANCO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT

Subject: Opposition to Proposed Quarry Near Stallion Estates and Request for County Action

To Commissioner Tommy Weir and the Blanco County Commissioners Court:

We, the undersigned residents, property owners, taxpayers, and stakeholders of Stallion Estates and the surrounding Spring Branch and Blanco County and close borders of Comal, and Kendall County communities, respectfully request that Blanco County take all lawful actions available to oppose, restrict, delay, or mitigate the development and operation of the proposed quarry located approximately 0.3 miles south of the intersection of U.S. Highway 281 and FM 473.

Our concerns are substantial and include the following:

Public Health and Air Quality:
The proposed quarry would generate significant amounts of airborne dust and particulate matter. Of particular concern is crystalline silica dust, which has been associated with serious respiratory illnesses. Many residents of Stallion Estates are retirees, veterans, children, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions who may be especially vulnerable to these impacts.

We request that independent baseline air-quality monitoring be established prior to any quarry operation and that the County advocate for the strictest available dust-control requirements.

Noise and Blasting Impacts:
The operation of heavy equipment, rock crushing machinery, truck traffic, and blasting activities would substantially alter the peaceful rural character of our community.

Stallion Estates is home to many military veterans, including veterans who suffer from service-related trauma and PTSD. Repeated blasting and industrial noise may negatively impact their quality of life and well-being.

We request that the County seek strict limitations on blasting frequency, timing, vibration levels, and noise emissions.

Groundwater and Aquifer Protection
The proposed quarry lies within the sensitive Hill Country karst environment. Residents rely heavily on groundwater resources supplied through aquifers that are particularly vulnerable to contamination due to the fractured limestone geology common throughout the region.

We request that Blanco County advocate for comprehensive hydrogeological studies, groundwater monitoring, and independent scientific review before any permits are approved.

Property Value Impacts:
The residents of Stallion Estates have collectively invested tens of millions of dollars into their homes and properties. Numerous studies and real-world examples around the country suggest that proximity to active quarry operations can negatively affect residential property values.

A reduction in property values harms individual homeowners and may also negatively affect the County’s property tax base.

We request that the County formally evaluate the economic impacts of the proposed quarry on nearby residential communities.

Traffic Safety:
U.S. Highway 281 in the vicinity of the proposed quarry is a heavily traveled two-lane highway with a posted speed limit of approximately 70 miles per hour. The proposed quarry entrance would require large, slow-moving commercial trucks to enter and exit traffic near an area where roadway geometry and traffic conditions already present challenges.

This raises serious concerns regarding traffic congestion, collision risk, emergency response access, and public safety.

We request that Blanco County and TxDOT conduct a comprehensive traffic impact analysis before any approvals are granted.

Preservation of Rural Character: Residents choose to live in the Hill Country because of its natural beauty, dark skies, quiet environment, clean air, and rural lifestyle. The proposed quarry threatens the qualities that have attracted families, retirees, veterans, and property owners to this area.

REQUEST FOR ACTION

Accordingly, we respectfully request that Commissioner Tommy Weir and the Blanco County Commissioners Court:

• Oppose the proposed quarry to the fullest extent allowed by law.

• Request all available environmental, groundwater, traffic, noise, and air-quality studies.

• Coordinate with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), TxDOT, the Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District, and other agencies to ensure full review of potential impacts.

• Hold public meetings to gather citizen input.

• Support the adoption of stronger state and local protections regarding quarry setbacks from established residential subdivisions.

• Advocate for legislation that provides greater protection to residential communities located near proposed quarry operations.

We respectfully ask that the voices of the residents of Stallion Estates and the neighboring Blanco, Kendall and Comal county communities be heard before irreversible impacts occur.