Agreement plants seed for Sprouts
HUTTO – If no alternative sites are available, the city is mulling a request by the county to use City Hall as an early voting and election day polling place.
Also during the Jan. 22 session, City Council approved a development agreement that paves the way for a Sprouts Farmers Market that could open in 2027.
Meanwhile, the need for a polling site in the city led one official to make a plea to the town’s elected representatives.
Early voting for the March 3 party primaries runs Feb. 17-Feb. 27, and the general election is Nov. 2, but as of Jan. 23, Hutto voters do not have a local place to vote.
That was the message from Williamson County Elections Administrator Bridgette Escobedo, who asked if City Hall could be used as a polling place.
“I come to you hat in hand because there are no other viable options here in the city of Hutto,” Escobedo said. “My team and I have searched high and low, and we cannot find another building
“ to accommodate voting, so my concern is if we don’t have this facility, we don’t have voting in the city of Hutto.”
The council approved allowing the county to use the seat of municipal government as an early voting and election day polling place if Escobedo by Friday, Jan. 30, had no luck getting an agreement from two area churches as alternative sites or the city manager couldn’t secure the Williamson County Hutto Annex, 321 Ed Schmidt Blvd., which is for sale.
The annex previously was the designated polling place, but when it became unavailable last year, the city agreed to let City Hall be used.
While voters can still use any polling place in the county during early voting, a new state law requires all those casting a ballot to go to their assigned precinct polling location to vote on March 3.
“The voters in this area love this building (City Hall). It’s a beautiful building it’s (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant and it ticks all our boxes,” Escobedo said.
The 35,000-squarefoot municipal complex celebrated a five-year anniversary August 2024 in The Co-Op District, 500 W. Live Oak St.
Some council members expressed reservations with the request.
“Having early voting here I believe disrupts city activities, services and also availability for the public to use this physical facility,” said Councilman Jim Morris.
Mayor Mike Snyder added many different boards and committees meet in City Hall in addition to the city staff working there.
He has contacted a church willing to be used as a polling place, and suggested Escobedo reach out again to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
City annexes Sprouts location
The Endeavor Hutto Retail project — which will include a Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store — passed several milestones Thursday as the council approved the development agreement, a municipal-services agreement and annexation of the 13.8-acre parcel.
The land is being developed by Endeavor Real Estate Group. The developer is adding space for up to 25 additional commercial and retail shops and a restaurant.
The lot is bordered by Texas 130, U.S. 79 and Innovation Boulevard.
The project first came before the council in September.
Adam Zimel of Endeavor Real Estate Group said his firm is also responsible for Hanson’s Corner shopping center in Hutto, where the Home Depot is located. He is also currently constructing a Sprouts location in Leander.
Zimel said with the council’s approvals, his firm is set to finalize the land purchase in late summer and have Sprouts open before the end of 2027.
The 23,000 squarefoot grocery store will anchor 60,000 square feet of retail space in three multi-tenant buildings.
My concern is if we don’t have this facility (City Hall), we don’t have voting in the city of Hutto.”
— Bridgette Escobedo, Williamson County elections administrator
