An interest in getting more involved in the community led to Rachel Lumpee joining the City of Blanco Planning and Zoning Commission.

Lumpee has attended the meetings since 2018 and covered them for the Blanco County News.

“I really enjoy covering meetings and learning more about the county and city. There’s a lot going on in the city, especially with the predicted growth,” she said.

The commission’s advisory role to city council interests Lumpee.

“P&Z usually is the first to know about an upcoming variance request and really has an opportunity to review the issues and provide helpful feedback to council,” she said.

Lumpee said her detail-oriented nature makes her a good fit on the P&Z commission. She’s attended the meetings since 2018 and has a grasp of issues facing the commission.

“I listen and look at both sides of each issue carefully and try to remain unbiased at all times,” Lumpee said. “I strive to make decisions that are in the best interest of the city and its residents. I work well together with others and am a great listener.”

One of the biggest issues facing Blanco is potential growth, Lumpee said. Preparing for that role is a crucial role for P&Z.

“The big upcoming issue is making sure we’re ready for the growth. Getting the zoning map up to date is very important,” she said. “We need to make sure there is enough housing and stores available for the newcomers, but it must be done in a way that keeps the small town charm. The small town charm of Blanco is one of the reasons we moved here.

“Everyone is friendly and helpful here. We do not have any children at this time but in the future, we plan on living in and raising them in this wonderful, loving community. Having open communication with city employees and city council members will help as well. We all know the growth is coming and I would like to help as much as I can.”

Rachel and her husband, Parker, aren’t from the area, but have always wanted to live in the Hill Country. Both her parents, and her husband’s parents, have cabins in the Hill Country. They were married in April 2016 and moved to Blanco in August of the same year when Parker took a job with Pedernales Electric Company.

“Blanco has been so wonderful and I fall more in love with it each day,” she said.

Lumpee was born in Houston and grew up in Slidell, Louisiana, near New Orleans. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University.

Lumpee is heavily involved in the community, and has a passion for volunteering. She volunteers for Keep Blanco Beautiful and serves on its board, where she is the public relations chair and serves as secretary.

Rachel and her husband are members of Blanco County Friends of the Night Sky, while she’s also a member of Blanco Coalition of Awareness, Prevention, and Treatment of Substance Abuse (CoAPT).

During the pandemic, she’s also gotten involved with the Blanco Library “Book Buddies” program, which has read to children through the online platform Zoom.

In her free time, Rachel enjoys traveling near and far, from Texas state parks to foreign countries (she’s visited 19 on four continents). She and her husband enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking, gardening and stargazing.

Photography is Rachel’s newest hobby, and she and Parker especially have enjoyed learning about astrophotography. She enjoys reading, cooking, baking and writing, too.

She’s also an avid sports fan.

“I am a big sports fan and am so happy the MLB is back,” she said.