The Village of St. John will follow the principles of New Urbanism, a philopshy drawing from historic European villages, and taught by architect and urban planners such as Andrés Duany and Léon Krier. Here’s what will make the village truly unique: A Walkable, Human-Scaled Environment The village is designed with people at the center, not cars, and will feature pavered streets, natural greens and urban courtyards. Our goal is for most streets to be car-free. Vehicles will access homes through rear alleys, allowing the heart of the village to remain peaceful, beautiful, and truly human-scaled. Architectural Beauty & Cohesion Homes and buildings will reflect the Modern Cotswold style, blending traditional design elements with a modern aesthetic. The result will be a new village with a unique sense of place. Faith-Inspired Living Rooted in Catholic values, the village will foster a sense of shared purpose. Guided by our patron, Saint John Fisher, it will be a place where faith and daily life naturally come together. Diverse Housing Options A real community includes people in different stages of life, and our homes will reflect that. From smaller cottages and townhomes to larger family houses, we aim to provide a range of options that make the village accessible to young families, singles, retirees, and everyone in between. Mixed-Use Spaces for Daily Life Life here isn’t just residential— a family social club, oratory, offices, workshops, and other gathering spaces will all be considered as we are designing the Master Plan. These elements may be integrated either within or along the periphery of the village, all within walking distance. Generational Roots St. John is not just designed for today, but for generations to come. It’s a place where families can put down roots, grow together, and pass on something meaningful. Whether it’s building a new home for the family, moving near the grandkids, starting a business or designing a beautiful home, the village will foster a sense of legacy—a place worth building, belonging to, and handing down.

The Village of St. John is named in honor of Saint John Fisher, an English priest, bishop, and martyr. He was chosen as the village’s patron from the very beginning, even before the land was secured. From the outset, we entrusted the vision of the project to his guidance and intercession. A beautiful sign of his presence came when, after months of prayer and unforeseen delays, the land for the village officially closed on June 22nd—his feast day. We saw this as a providential confirmation of his support, and we continue to seek his prayers as the village takes shape.

The Village of St. John will grow organically, inspired by how traditional European villages were built, with care for both place and people. Many of the most beloved towns and cities in the world weren’t built all at once, nor by large corporations focused on profit. Instead, they followed a simple, powerful formula—one we’re bringing back in a modern context. The two key ingredients include: 1) Traditional Architecture & Urbanism In the past, homes and buildings reflected local character, drawing on regional styles and natural materials. They were built at a human scale, walkable, and harmonized with the surrounding environment. This gave rise to unique and local places of character, like the Cotswolds or Tuscany. 2) Community-Driven Design In traditional towns, no two buildings were exactly alike because each one served a specific individual, family or purpose. This created a rich variety of building sizes and forms, reflecting the real needs of the people who lived there. Homes, shops, chapels, and public spaces grew organically over time, shaped by the people of the community. ------------ The Village of St. John will be designed and built based on the unique needs of the people who live here using traditional architectural forms and in a village urban environment. Whether it's a small cottage for a single person, a starter home for a young family, a multi-room house with space for visiting grandchildren, or a workshop for a local craftsman, the village will grow organically, one home at a time, reflecting the real diversity of its community.

The Village of St. John is inspired by traditional Catholic culture and values, but is not an exclusively faith based community. Our vision is to create a place where traditional values can be more easily lived. While many residents will share a Catholic faith, you do not need to be Catholic to live here. We welcome all who are drawn to this way of life: one that values people and family, set in the context of traditional urbanism, walkable living, timeless architecture, and a shared commitment to building something lasting and meaningful.

While the timeline may shift by 3 to 6 months as the project progresses, we’ve outlined a general progression for the key phases: Design – Spring & Summer 2025: The Master Plan will take shape from May through July 2025. This process will include private interviews, public feedback sessions, and the presentation of urban and architectural design proposals. These designs will be refined with community input until a final plan is approved. Engineering – Fall 2025: Once the Master Plan is finalized, detailed civil engineering, utility layouts, and architectural plans will be developed. Roads & Utilities – Winter 2025/2026: Infrastructure work, including roads and utilities, will begin in late 2025 and continue into early 2026. Homes – Spring & Summer 2026: Construction of the first homes is expected to begin in Spring 2026, with completion anticipated within 8 to 10 months.

To foster a truly vibrant community, the village will offer a variety of home styles at a range of price points. Our goal is to provide options that welcome individuals and families of different ages, backgrounds, and life stages. While the village’s design and architecture are still in development, we expect most homes to fall within the $250,000 to $600,000 range. There will also be opportunities for homes both below and above this range, including smaller cottages and larger estate homes. This mixture will ensure the village reflects the diversity of a real and thriving community.

While we would love for every home to be custom-built, this is not economically or practically feasible. As an alternative, pre-designed homes make it possible to offer a custom feel, while also keeping costs accessible for more families. Over time, we will develop and expand a growing collection of home plans, shaped by the needs of the community—whether for singles, young families, or empty-nesters. Some custom-designed homes will also be available on select lots, following the village’s architectural design guidelines. This approach offers the best of both worlds: individual expression with homes that feel unique, while contributing to a unified, beautiful village.

We are focused on creating a traditional community-focused village with a variety of home sizes and price points. While we understand the appeal of large, 1+ acre home sites for those who want space for animals or homesteading activities, these lots would significantly raise home prices, placing them beyond the reach of most families and limiting the diversity of the community. Large-acreage homes are already available nearby in neighborhoods like Crown Oaks and Grand Lake Estates, often at premium prices. Rather than replicate what already exists, our goal is to offer homes that are more accessible to a wider range of people, while developing a beautiful, walkable community. For those who desire larger lots, we encourage you to consider living nearby and joining the proposed family social club. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of the village community while owning a spacious home just outside it.

We’re working with local utility providers to ensure that water, electric, high speed internet and gas services are brought in efficiently and discreetly—without disrupting the beauty of the village. Where possible, utility lines will be underground, preserving the visual character of streets and greenspaces. The specific wastewater sewer system to be utilized has yet to be determined, and will be selected based on what best serves the community's needs.

Lot sizes will be designed to reflect a walkable, community-focused village. Expect narrower frontages that promote a traditional village feel, with enclosed courtyards or private backyard spaces ideal for children, gardening, and outdoor living. While the final village layout is yet to be completed, typical lot sizes will likely range from 2,000 to 6,000 square feet, with a mix of options to suit different needs: 20 to 40 feet wide by 70 to 100 feet deep These village lots create a cozy, close-knit streetscape. Narrow widths encourage charming facades and pedestrian-friendly design, while still allowing room for private outdoor spaces. 40 to 60 feet wide by 90 to 110 feet deep These larger lots offer more flexibility—ideal for custom homes or corner lots—while still maintaining the village’s intimate scale and walkability. Estate & Irregular Corner Lots A small number of estate-sized lots, including unique corner parcels, may be sized up to a quarter acre, offering more space while still feeling connected to the heart of the village.

We’re still in the early stages of design and planning. While lot reservations are not yet available, we’d love to hear from those who are interested in helping shape both the Master Plan and the design of village homes. If you’d like to stay informed and be among the first to receive updates about home availability, lot selection, and upcoming events, please sign up at Join the Journey.

While we do not plan to directly offer rentals in the immediate future, our hope is that some community-minded investors will purchase homes and cottages and make them available for longer-term rentals to others who share in the vision of the community. Stay tuned.

A human-scaled, family-friendly, and walkable environment is at the heart of the village’s design. Homes will face pedestrian lanes, courtyards, and greenways—not asphalt roads or driveways—transforming the village from a car-dominated space into a pleasant, family-friendly urban environment. While the final details will be shaped during the design process, our goal is to create car-free streets thoughout the majority of the community. Vehicles will access homes and garages via rear alleys, keeping the front of the village safe for children, beautiful, and truly human-centered. Additional guest parking will be located along the periphary of the village within a 3 minute walk.

The Village of St. John is a natural outgrowth of an existing community. While we don’t expect most community members to move into the village, we want everyone to have the opportunity to participate in its life. The social club offers this connection, providing a place for participation no matter where you live. The specific decision and timing for building the club will be determined through public discussions with the wider community. It will be separate from village homeownership, with its own membership and dues, and open to those who share in the vision of faith-filled, family-oriented community life. Potential features may include: A commons or hall for talks, classes, dining, etc A pool and seasonal family events A fitness room Remote work space and offices A place for coffee, light refreshments, and everyday connection

While the village is not being developed as a homesteading community, we’re open to ideas that enhance community life and shared purpose. If there’s strong interest, we will explore possibilities like community gardens or small-scale shared green spaces. Any such elements would be designed to complement the village’s walkable, traditional character.

While final plans will be shaped through community feedback during the design process, several core amenities are being considered: Village Green & Gathering Spaces Central greens and plazas for outdoor events, picnics, concerts, etc. Family Social Club A welcoming space for families to gather, with potential features like a community hall, pool or splashpad, remote offices, classroom space, and seasonal events—a hub for daily life and celebrations. Oratory A small sacred space is envisioned, offering a place for prayer and adoration. Sports Field A simple village sports field—ideal for soccer, pickup games, or casual play. Play Areas & Natural Spaces Simple, beautiful outdoor areas where children can explore freely and families can enjoy unstructured time in nature. Gardens or Gathering Yards Potential spaces for community gardening, outdoor seating, or quiet conversation beneath the pines.

A small oratory will likely be included in the Master Plan, providing a space for prayer, reflection, and periodic Masses or services. While this space may not initially include a tabernacle or offer daily sacraments, our long-term hope is to establish a permanent chapel with the Blessed Eucharist. In the meantime, residents are just a 3-minute drive from Presentation Catholic Church, which offers daily Mass, weekly adoration, confession, and a vibrant parish life. The close proximity ensures easy access to sacramental life.

At this time, there are no immediate plans for a school. Many families in the community currently homeschool or participate in educational programs offered through Presentation Catholic Church and other local institutions. As the Master Plan is developed, we will consider whether to set aside space for a future school. For now, we anticipate that most families will continue using their current educational paths, with opportunities to collaborate through homeschool groups, co-ops, or learning spaces within the village.

The periphary of the village will support a mix of home-based and small-scale businesses that align with the family-focused nature of the village. While traditional retail shops and high-traffic businesses are not planned, a variety of quiet, service-oriented, and craft-based enterprises will be welcome. Businesses and services likely to be allowed include: Remote Workers & Office-Based Professionals Individuals such as engineers, designers, consultants, and others who work from home or in small offices without the need for public foot traffic. Workshops & Light Industrial Small-scale, craftsman workshops and light industrial businesses that produce goods for off-site delivery—such as furniture makers, artisans, or specialty manufacturers. Trades & Service Providers Skilled tradespeople like plumbers, electricians, roofers, and HVAC technicians who need office or yard space for equipment, but perform most of their work off-site. These types of businesses help create a lively and productive community, while maintaining the village’s focus on quiet living, walkability, and family-friendly spaces.

While the village design is focused on walkability and community, its private, wooded setting and limited road visibility make it unlikely to attract traditional retail or commercial shops in the near future. Here’s what we anticipate: Shops & Retail: The village is not currently suited for typical retail shops, and we do not expect significant commercial development within the village at this time. Grocer: A full grocery store requires a much larger population to be sustainable. Most residents will continue to shop at nearby options such as HEB, Trader Joe’s, Costco, and other well-known stores. Pub & Restaurants: The natural beauty, traditional architecture, and walkable design could make the village an appealing location for a pub or small restaurant in the future. However, any use that brings significant public traffic will be carefully considered during the planning process to ensure the village remains safe, quiet, and family-friendly. Coffee Shop: Due to the lack of high-traffic access and the private nature of the site, a typical coffee shop—especially one reliant on drive-through traffic—is not likely. Instead, the Family Social Club may offer a gathering space with coffee and light refreshments within walking distance of homes. Pub (Potential Future): A village pub, thoughtfully integrated into the community, is something we are open to exploring as the village grows. It would be designed as a local gathering place, enhancing the sense of community without compromising the peaceful nature of the village.