Schertz resident asks council to review buffer zones after construction damage
"Allowing them to mill away 12 foot of limestone so they can get a flat surface is too much," the resident said. "Running two rock crushers to crush all the limestone that they milled off created a huge dust problem. Twenty feet isn't enough."
Schertz resident asks council to review buffer zones after construction damage
A Brush Creek Drive homeowner told Schertz City Council his property has been damaged by construction at FM 3009 and Widerstein Road — and the city's 20-foot setback isn't enough to protect neighboring homes.
The Complaint
A Brush Creek Drive resident spoke at the February 3 council meeting about the retail shopping center under construction at 3909 Widerstein Road. His house sits directly behind the project.
"Allowing them to mill away 12 foot of limestone so they can get a flat surface is too much," the resident said. "Running two rock crushers to crush all the limestone that they milled off created a huge dust problem. Twenty feet isn't enough."
The resident said the building is 35 feet tall. "If I put a ladder out the second story window of my house, I would go parallel and I could walk over to the roof of the building," he said. "I no longer see the sunset."
What's Being Built
The site at 3909 Widerstein Road is a neighborhood retail shopping center being developed by Birnbaum Property Company. According to the developer's listing, the property is "conveniently located at the first major intersection east of I-35" with close proximity to the Amazon fulfillment center.
From the resident's testimony:
- 35-foot tall building
- 20-foot setback from adjacent residential properties
- 12 feet of limestone excavation to create a level building pad
- Two rock crushers operating on-site during construction
Source: Birnbaum Property Company listing
What He's Asking For
"I really request that the city council take a look at the building codes and the planning for the land to get enough of a buffer between the properties," the resident said.
He plans to address property damage directly with the landowner. His council appearance focused on preventing future residents from facing the same situation.
Council did not respond to the comments during the meeting — public hearings are for resident input, not council debate.
Source: Schertz City Council meeting, February 3, 2026 (transcript)
