Lennar Homes has withdrawn its application for a wastewater treatment facility permit that was central to its proposed Comfort 590 residential development near San Antonio. The move, recorded with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), removes a necessary infrastructure component for the planned subdivision in Comfort, an unincorporated community in Kendall County.
The Miami-based homebuilder had planned to construct approximately 1,100 homes on 600 acres along Highway 87, with additional entitlements allowing up to 1,300 more units. Due to the lack of centralized sewer service in the area, Lennar’s project depended on building a standalone wastewater system capable of handling up to 600,000 gallons per day.
Lennar formally withdrew its permit application on December 22. The company did not comment on its decision or clarify future plans for the development.
Local opposition played a significant role in challenging the project. Comfort Neighbors, a group formed by nearby landowners and residents, opposed what it called an “outsized, high-density development” for their town of about 3,000 people. The group raised concerns regarding water availability and potential impacts on local air and water quality as well as strain on existing infrastructure. Over the past year, they organized town halls and rallies against the proposal.
“This marks a major win after more than a year of organizing,” said representatives from Comfort Neighbors about Lennar’s withdrawal.
This is not Lennar’s only contested project in Central Texas. The builder faces similar challenges at other sites. In Comal County north of San Antonio, TCEQ is still reviewing another permit application for Broken Cedar Ranch—a proposed 850-home development that would discharge treated wastewater into Canyon Lake. A public meeting about this project is scheduled for February 10 at Canyon Lake High School.
Meanwhile, Lennar received approval for Guajolote Ranch northwest of San Antonio near Helotes despite local resistance. That permit allows up to one million gallons per day of treated wastewater to be discharged into Helotes Creek—a tributary connected to the Edwards Aquifer serving over two million people across multiple counties according to data from the Edwards Aquifer Authority.
