A Letter to the Editor & An Open Letter to the Community of Blanco:

I am writing to draw your attention to a matter that will inevitably affect all residents of the City of Blanco. Selective enforcement of the UDC (Unified Development Code) is being carried out. This code was created with community input and was designed to ensure the character of Blanco and to protect the quality of life of all of its residents.

I live directly adjacent to the newly built basketball courts. Before I go any further, I would just like to say that of course I realize the value of having an outdoor recreation area for the youth of Blanco and support such an endeavor. However, the development of this facility has directly and negatively impacted the lives of several residents of Blanco. Imagine if these courts, built on a foundation of concrete and underneath a metal pavilion that reverberated every sound, was built less than 25 feet from or directly across the street from your home? How would you feel? And if this development was in violation of any number of rules created in the UDC, would you not seek to have the city uphold & enforce those rules?

While kids will be kids, there are profanities shouted, basketballs bouncing early in the morning & after dark, car stereos blaring, beer cans & other trash tossed into our backyard and boards knocked out of our fence. This is our Home and it is being greatly disrespected. Our quality of life has suffered because of the nearness of this development to private residences without proper setback & sight/sound buffering not to mention the slew of variances needed for other attributes of the development including excessive impervious cover.

I write to make known the reasons of the complaints regarding the new courts.

This could just as easily be some other development that violates different provisions in the UDC located next door to your home, business or property. When the time comes, don’t you want to have governmental representation that upholds and enforces the code fairly and equally without preferential consideration given? Yes, this is a wonderful project for the youth of Blanco, but there is a much bigger picture to look at.

We selected and bought this home specifically because of its proximity to the center of Blanco. We love being able to walk to the State Park and the square to patron Real Foods and area restaurants, visit the Post Office & Blanco National, pay bills and support downtown events. We may very likely be forced to move from our home due to this development and frankly, it is a very frustrating and disappointing situation.

With Hope,

Jenni Bonds

Blanco, TX