Dunn says 2 new driveways on 3237 are his, to serve future commercial development

But here's the kicker. During the course of describing his real estate work up in the northwest . . . Mr. Dunn uttered the words "conservation easement."

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Paul Dunn's new commercial driveway on 3237, a short distance north of the Wimberley bypass

We've been wondering what the two new driveways are all about, now nearly completed, along 3237 just to the north and south of the Wimberley Mills Parkway, the bypass. Luckily, we bumped into local and Montana resident and developer Paul Dunn a short while back out at one of the sites, and got the scoop straight from the horse's mouth. We say luckily, because it appears that Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley (R-Wimberley) and county road chief Jerry Borcherding had no clue, or wouldn't say. Conley was not considerate enough to return our calls to his office. Jerry said he'd check but never got back.

Mr. Dunn was friendly and very open about the new driveways. Said they were TxDOT-approved, so no need for county involvement, and they will provide access to two pieces of his property for commercial development. The bigger one (photo above) is 15 acres at the southeast base of Dunn's Pinnacle Ridge gated subdivision, and the smaller one just to the south of the bypass is 3.5 acres. He said he plans to sell the properties for commercial/retail businesses, just not yet. And they will both include a strict land use covenant.

The smaller parcel was part of a 5-acre tract, with a long 1.5 acre easement being sold to the county for $20,000-plus that will eventually serve as a hike and bike entrance to the Blue Hole Regional Park. Mr. Conley is reported to be working on that deal.

We completely missed asking about water supply, but figure Dunn's future commercial sites will be on wells – that is, if they are able to get the permits. Mr. Dunn said straight out he was not a big fan of the local private, for profit water supplier, those ghastly wasters of groundwater – and said they would need his permission to expand their service territory on to his 100-odd acres along the bypass. Not gonna happen, he promised.

But here's the kicker. During the course of describing his real estate work up in the northwest – purchasing big ranches, restoring them and putting them back on the market, intact and undeveloped – Mr. Dunn uttered the words "conservation easement." The very controversial Lone Star subdivision that Mr. Dunn once proposed building along the bypass, with 119 homes, wells and septic systems, and a stone's throw above Blue Hole, seemed to have receded quietly into history.

At the time, Dunn's proposal and presentation drew a throng of protesters at a Wimberley P&Z public meeting. We recall one placard being waved around in the audience that read 'I Askew, is this a Dunn deal?'

On this recent afternoon, Mr. Dunn chafed at questions about resurrecting his subdivision plan. He said not having an approved subdivision plat would leave open the option of perhaps selling the mostly pristine property as a conservation easement. The right price along with some tax breaks, he said, could help him at least break even on his investment in the property.

We don't know how many folks know of Paul Dunn's unfolding vision for his property along the bypass. But his thinking of a kinder, gentler fate – a conservation easement of all things – sure was news to us. Protecting this land from future development would provide a crucial buffer zone on the north side of Blue Hole, and perhaps expand the size and recreational possibilities of Blue Hole Regional Park.

Hays County and city officials, Friends of Blue Hole, and Hill Country Conservancy might want to give Mr. Dunn a shout and see if you can take this invitation to turn a dream into reality.

We thank Mr. Dunn for sharing.

– Bob Ochoa/Editor