A Message From Mayor Chris Riley

Mayor Chris Riley

LETTER TO LEON VALLEY CITIZENS 

From Mayor Chris Riley  

May 8, 2026 

  

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL LEON VALLEY MOTHERS!

 

CITY COUNCIL MEETING –May 5, 2026 

               

The following are highlights of council actions from the May 5th council meeting which began at 5:30 p.m. and ended at 10:01p.m. 

                   

                                    PRESENTATIONS 

 

  1. Comprehensive Master Plan – Ardurra

Engineering was awarded the contract to update the Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP), which has not been updated since 2018.  The CMP’s planning steps include creating a vision of the community’s wants and desires; preparing a plan to achieve the vision; implementing the plan by formulating strategies to make the plan happen; and monitoring the implementation phase to evaluate results.  Some themes which will be discussed are multi-modal connectivity and mobility, economic development, preservation of aging infrastructure, new housing neighborhoods, natural open space, and recreation, history and culture. Leon Valley is an attractive location with strong governance and quality services. We are built out, with limited vacant land, creating a need for redevelopment policies. Some additional reasons for updating the CMP are to preserve community character and quality of life in our neighborhoods, expand transit, bicycle and pedestrian mobility options, and to develop land use strategies to support economic growth and long-term fiscal sustainability.

       This process will take 14 months.  Council discussed appointing a diverse advisory committee which would provide valuable insight, advice and expertise from each of our neighborhoods.  This committee will be appointed at the June 6th council meeting.  They will meet 4-5 times and will be integral in developing the vision and substance of this document. Please note: We want to hear from all the citizens.  You will have an opportunity to answer an online questionnaire and attend focus groups to give your input.

 

  1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Solar

Streetlight Project – The City of Leon Valley was selected for the CDBG Precinct 2 grant project to install 22 solar lights in 4 areas of the city (Old Mill, Castle Estates, Shadow Mist Road, and Bandera Pass Road).  It is a 100% grant funded program, but the city will be responsible for maintenance through an Interlocal Government Agreement. The lights will be hooded and there will be no electricity bills for the city. There is a 10-year warranty on each streetlight.  After ten years, battery replacements are approx. $3,000 and total cost to replace a solar light is approx. $12-15,000 each. Council members wanted to speak to homeowners in Old Mill  (Blacksmith, Settlers Ridge, Conestoga and Timberhill) and Castle Estates (Rue Francois, Cammie Way, Rue Sophie, Rue LiIiane and Rue Marielyne) to get their input on placement.  Council also asked if the city could receive less than 22 solar lights depending on what they hear back from the citizens in these areas. This agenda item will be brought back as soon as we have updated information.

 

  1.  Community Budget Survey – As the staff prepares a draft budget

for FY 26-27, we want to hear from YOU on your priorities -- where you’d like your tax dollars spent, which will help shape our city’s future. A valid home address must be included for your survey to be counted.

        The survey is divided into two sections:  City Infrastructure/Operations and Quality of Life. There are 10 items listed in each category.  You are asked to prioritize 1 to 10, in each category, with 1 being the first choice for funding, on down to 10 reflecting your least choice for funding.  The survey is ONLINE - visit ENEWS or the City’s website, www.leonvalleytexas.org to fill out the survey.  There is a maximum of 2 surveys per household. DEADLINE for submission of your budget survey is June 1, 2026.  Please note: There will be paper copies available at City Hall.  Thank you in advance for your participation! 

 

                                      REGULAR AGENDA 

 

Presentation and Discussion on an Ordinance to Amend a Change to Zoning from Planned Development District with R-3 Multiple Family Dwelling Base Zoning to a Planned Development District with R-6 Garden House Base Zoning at 6612 and 6618 Sawyer Road –Mr. Chehade, developer of Seneca West and Trilogy, was approved by the city council in April, 2025 to build 166 condominium units on 6.8 acres of land on Sawyer Road. He is requesting an amendment to instead develop 76 garden homes, with 6 variances reducing the overall size and lot of the homes, and two variances for private street minimum right of way reduced from 50 ft. to 32 ft., and pavement width reduced from 30 feet to 26 feet.  The developer wanted the Council to allow him to keep the R-3 condominium plan, while adding the R-6 Garden home option, saying there would be no harm to the city.  The City Attorney opined that normally the developer must choose R-3 or R-6. The City Engineer commented that no R-6 garden home should have driveway access onto Sawyer Road, a collector street, which is against our ordinance, due to safety concerns. The developer’s R-6 plan has 18 driveways accessing Sawyer Road, against the city engineer’s recommendation. This was a major safety concern among the Council, even as they expressed preference for the less dense option (76 homes versus 166 condominiums).  The Council encouraged the developer to re-think how these driveways exit onto Sawyer Road.  Mr. Chehade said he had another option he would bring back to council for consideration. The city council recently passed an ordinance abolishing Planned Development Districts.

 

Discussion on the 4th of July Event – Due to budgetary constraints, the Council cancelled the large 4th of July event held for the last many years.  Instead, the City is planning a small-town celebration for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on Friday, July 4th from 9:30am to 12:30pm  at the Community Center.  This activity will follow the Leon Valley Historical Society Pioneer Walk/Run, which starts at  7:30 am on the Huebner Creek Greenway Trail off of Shadow Mist Drive.

        This is a FREE family-oriented celebration. We will honor our 250th anniversary through readings, singing the national anthem, flag raising and a moment of reflection for 250 years of freedom. Guest Speaker: Tom Jackson, will be reciting the Declaration of Independence. There will be music provided by a DJ, entertainment, inflatable interactive games, face painting and balloon artists for children. Free Bomb Pops and small American flags will be given to the first 250 participants who attend.  There will be food booths. The Council has set aside $500 for raffling off gift cards, including HEB, to the participants who attend. The city will also be decorating the city’s monuments and placing American flags along streets in our city. We know this is a change from what we have done in the past, but we encourage our citizens to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as a community!

     

     The next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 19th  at 6:30 p.m.  Judge Peter Sakai will swear in the newly elected Councilors, Betty Heyl, Rey Orozco, as well as myself.  After a small reception, the regular May 19th council meeting will continue.

           

       UPCOMING EVENTS 

 

Tuesday, May 12th Canvassing of the May 2nd Election Results – 8:30 a.m. at city hall Chambers. Council must approve the election results from the May 2nd municipal election.

 

Saturday, May 16th – Harriett Onion Birthday Celebration at the Huebner Onion Homestead, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.  This is a free family fun event with cake and paletas while they last!  The Homestead will be open to look inside and there will be games, crafts, scavenger hunt and stories for the kids. Parking at Leon Valley city hall with a peace officer assisting with crossing Bandera Road.  Hope you can make it!

                                       

                                        IN CLOSING…..

 

The City of Leon Valley was awarded Tree City USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation as a testament to our community’s “unwavering commitment to the planting, care, and celebration of trees”. We are so proud of the city’s efforts to help meet our goal of planting 10,000 trees by the end of 2026.

 

CONGRATULATIONS to all the high school and college seniors who are graduating this month!  Wishing you all the best!

 

Please do not hesitate to call me or any of the councilors if we can assist you.

 

Sincerely, Chris  

(210) 618-2092 (cell);  

mayorriley@leonvalleytexas.gov 

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