City Council met in Special Session today, September 26, 2011 at 9:00AM. Here is that agenda.
The first item was addressing a petition from Steve and Anita Cokins to add their property and the rest of the North Brooks Hollow properties to a 3 year annexation plan. They also petitioned for arbitration if that was not granted.
The City Council went into executive session to discuss the issue with the City's attorney.
After the executive session, Council voted unanimously to deny both the addition to an annexation plan and the arbitration.
The next item was the second public hearing for the annexation of several other areas. There were several residents speaking against annexation of Travis Oaks Trail.
The public hearing was closed and the consent agenda was passed unanimously. Please welcome Bob Mickelson as a new member of the Arts and Beautification Committee.
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Monday, September 26, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Weeks End Update
Let's start out with the Lakeway MUD. Looks like they are going to have a Special Meeting on Wednesday, September 28th. Here is the agenda. Looks like they are working through their FY 2012 rates and tax rates, have some new info on the LCRA Barge purchase and will consider the 17th amendment to an Earnest Money Contract on the Cedar Tract.
Of course the drought is on everyone's mind as we continue to go without any rain! Here is a press release from LCRA on their Drought Relief Measures. The LCRA also released some information on Floating habitats. Here are two releases on that issue. Structures - Structure Resolution. There is also a Board resolution on the Wastewater Divestitures.
Here is Steve Jone's report for the week:
Because of Council Members suggestions, the City will be working on a public information campaign regarding wildfire safety. There is already information on our website, and we plan to bolster that with newspaper articles, banners, and other means of getting the word out.
The Deer Management Committee plans to test a new tactic in trapping this year. We have ordered a device that uses compressed air to launch a net over the deer. The launcher will work in areas that are too small for conventional drop nets.
The Building and Development Services Department is almost ready to issue a building permit for the new library. The in house review is complete and we are waiting for final comments from the Fire Marshal and water district before issuing the permit.
The release of the Lake Travis Economic Impact Report will be next Thursday at Top of the Oasis at 10:00 AM. Council Member Alan Tye will be one of the honored speakers at this event.
Andra Dearing Reports: The trail on the East end of Lakeway Blvd. is progressing nicely! The crushed granite is being placed, stained concrete sections are being installed and the rockwork border is nearing completion.
Lakeway Civic Corp. gave a generous donation of $10,600 to provide new trail signs for the Canyonlands Trail. This project has been on hold for nearly three years due to a lack of funding. We are excited to see it move forward.
Many records have been set this year by the Activity Center Staff! Records including youth class revenue and facility rental are way ahead of projections!
Shannon Burk reports that they have started bringing in mulch to cover up the bare spots in Tuscan Village. Recent landscaping improvements have substantially improved the appearance of the project.
_______________________
Lakeway City Council will meet in Special Session on Monday, September 26, 2011. Here is that agenda.
More Soon!
Thanks for all the support!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Of course the drought is on everyone's mind as we continue to go without any rain! Here is a press release from LCRA on their Drought Relief Measures. The LCRA also released some information on Floating habitats. Here are two releases on that issue. Structures - Structure Resolution. There is also a Board resolution on the Wastewater Divestitures.
Here is Steve Jone's report for the week:
Because of Council Members suggestions, the City will be working on a public information campaign regarding wildfire safety. There is already information on our website, and we plan to bolster that with newspaper articles, banners, and other means of getting the word out.
The Deer Management Committee plans to test a new tactic in trapping this year. We have ordered a device that uses compressed air to launch a net over the deer. The launcher will work in areas that are too small for conventional drop nets.
The Building and Development Services Department is almost ready to issue a building permit for the new library. The in house review is complete and we are waiting for final comments from the Fire Marshal and water district before issuing the permit.
The release of the Lake Travis Economic Impact Report will be next Thursday at Top of the Oasis at 10:00 AM. Council Member Alan Tye will be one of the honored speakers at this event.
Andra Dearing Reports: The trail on the East end of Lakeway Blvd. is progressing nicely! The crushed granite is being placed, stained concrete sections are being installed and the rockwork border is nearing completion.
Lakeway Civic Corp. gave a generous donation of $10,600 to provide new trail signs for the Canyonlands Trail. This project has been on hold for nearly three years due to a lack of funding. We are excited to see it move forward.
Many records have been set this year by the Activity Center Staff! Records including youth class revenue and facility rental are way ahead of projections!
Shannon Burk reports that they have started bringing in mulch to cover up the bare spots in Tuscan Village. Recent landscaping improvements have substantially improved the appearance of the project.
_______________________
Lakeway City Council will meet in Special Session on Monday, September 26, 2011. Here is that agenda.
More Soon!
Thanks for all the support!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Council Update
City Council met in regular session last night at 6PM. Here is that agenda.
The financial report was presented by Treasurer Al Tyson. The City is under budget on expenses and over budget on revenues. The City departments have been doing an excellent job of curtailing expenses - they continue to find ways to make the most of limited funds. The revenues are up due to higher sales tax receipts and Building and Development increases due to higher than expected activity in permits. All this is good news for the city!
Item 5 was a Proclamation by Mayor DeOme of October 4, 2011 to support National Night Out Against Crime. Here is the proclamation.
Item 6 dealt with updating the Subdivision and Site Development Ordinance - since various areas of the City including areas scheduled for annexation are now in the updated Flood Plain, the City adopted language from Travis Counties current Code so as to not further restrict any of these properties and allow those residents access to Federal Flood Insurance. Passed unanimously.
Item 7 was a Zoning Code Amendment structured to attempt to accommodate residents of areas scheduled for annexation. Residents in North Brooks Hollow were adamant the ordinance amendment did not address a significant number of concerns, many of which centered around the "Grandfathering" of many of their current conditions. Although Council delayed annexation of the area for 90 days to allow discussion and negotiations, the residents of the area felt like the proposed Amendment was not done in good faith. Council voted to approve the Amendment with a vote of 4-3. Council Members Wallace, Harris and Tye voted against the measure.
Item 8 addressed the annexation of North Brooks Hollow and was a hotly contested item. One of the resident's attorney submitted a document questioning the right of the City to unilaterally annex the area under Local Government Code 43.052(h)(1) at 6:25PM, 5 minutes before the meeting was scheduled to start. Here is that document. The public hearing with heated comments including disruptions which eventually led to some attendees being asked to leave. After discussion by Council, the annexation was passed by a vote of 5-2, Mr. Harris and Mr. Tye dissenting.
Item 9 was a scheduled public hearing for the possible annexation of several other areas detailed in the agenda. This was also a hotly contested item and required police intervention to control the meeting. No action was required on this item.
The budget for Fiscal Year 2012 was adopted unanimously.
The tax rate of $.1996 (same as last year) was adopted unanimously. This is an example of how good fiscal management keeps services at a high quality level and costs down. Thanks!
The FY2011 budget was amended to include some recent expenses and unexpected revenue unanimously.
13. A special Use permit was granted to B&B Body and Paint to operate a vehicle repair shop. The property is zoned C-2 which is appropriate but requires a SUP. The design looks good an Council approved the Permit unanimously.
14. Council approved another Special Use Permit to allow the Lakeway Commons to operate a weekly Farmers Market at the shopping center. This will be a good use of the area and hopefully will bring some good fresh produce for citizens to enjoy!
15. Council approved a Zoning Code Amendment for the hospital area on 620. It allows use of a flat roof on any building over 40 feet tall in that MMC zoning. All equipment on the roof will be concealed by the flat roof.
Finally, item 16 was a discussion and instructed the Staff to develop changes to the City's noise ordinance to allow more control on commercial use of amplified sound. More on that at the next meeting.
The Consent agenda was approved with the exception of the appointment of Don Stevenson as Emergency Management Coordinator. That item was pulled to allow more time to Mr. Stevenson decide on acceptance of the appointment.
Council will meet in Special Session on Monday, September 26, 2011. This will be another Public Hearing on areas included in the annexation plan.
The financial report was presented by Treasurer Al Tyson. The City is under budget on expenses and over budget on revenues. The City departments have been doing an excellent job of curtailing expenses - they continue to find ways to make the most of limited funds. The revenues are up due to higher sales tax receipts and Building and Development increases due to higher than expected activity in permits. All this is good news for the city!
Item 5 was a Proclamation by Mayor DeOme of October 4, 2011 to support National Night Out Against Crime. Here is the proclamation.
Item 6 dealt with updating the Subdivision and Site Development Ordinance - since various areas of the City including areas scheduled for annexation are now in the updated Flood Plain, the City adopted language from Travis Counties current Code so as to not further restrict any of these properties and allow those residents access to Federal Flood Insurance. Passed unanimously.
Item 7 was a Zoning Code Amendment structured to attempt to accommodate residents of areas scheduled for annexation. Residents in North Brooks Hollow were adamant the ordinance amendment did not address a significant number of concerns, many of which centered around the "Grandfathering" of many of their current conditions. Although Council delayed annexation of the area for 90 days to allow discussion and negotiations, the residents of the area felt like the proposed Amendment was not done in good faith. Council voted to approve the Amendment with a vote of 4-3. Council Members Wallace, Harris and Tye voted against the measure.
Item 8 addressed the annexation of North Brooks Hollow and was a hotly contested item. One of the resident's attorney submitted a document questioning the right of the City to unilaterally annex the area under Local Government Code 43.052(h)(1) at 6:25PM, 5 minutes before the meeting was scheduled to start. Here is that document. The public hearing with heated comments including disruptions which eventually led to some attendees being asked to leave. After discussion by Council, the annexation was passed by a vote of 5-2, Mr. Harris and Mr. Tye dissenting.
Item 9 was a scheduled public hearing for the possible annexation of several other areas detailed in the agenda. This was also a hotly contested item and required police intervention to control the meeting. No action was required on this item.
The budget for Fiscal Year 2012 was adopted unanimously.
The tax rate of $.1996 (same as last year) was adopted unanimously. This is an example of how good fiscal management keeps services at a high quality level and costs down. Thanks!
The FY2011 budget was amended to include some recent expenses and unexpected revenue unanimously.
13. A special Use permit was granted to B&B Body and Paint to operate a vehicle repair shop. The property is zoned C-2 which is appropriate but requires a SUP. The design looks good an Council approved the Permit unanimously.
14. Council approved another Special Use Permit to allow the Lakeway Commons to operate a weekly Farmers Market at the shopping center. This will be a good use of the area and hopefully will bring some good fresh produce for citizens to enjoy!
15. Council approved a Zoning Code Amendment for the hospital area on 620. It allows use of a flat roof on any building over 40 feet tall in that MMC zoning. All equipment on the roof will be concealed by the flat roof.
Finally, item 16 was a discussion and instructed the Staff to develop changes to the City's noise ordinance to allow more control on commercial use of amplified sound. More on that at the next meeting.
The Consent agenda was approved with the exception of the appointment of Don Stevenson as Emergency Management Coordinator. That item was pulled to allow more time to Mr. Stevenson decide on acceptance of the appointment.
Council will meet in Special Session on Monday, September 26, 2011. This will be another Public Hearing on areas included in the annexation plan.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Drought, Rain, MUD, Weekly Report and much more!
Let's start with the drought. It looks like the Lakeway MUD (and other MUDs) will be going to a higher level on drought watering restrictions at the end of September if we don't get substantial rain by then. We will go to one watering a week and no more than the equivalent one inch of rain. Hours will be further restricted also.
Here is a link to Texas Parks pictures from around the area. Here is a link to a news release from LCRA - it speaks to curtailing water usage including downstream users.
We actually had a little shower today - I hope it's a sign of things to come!
The Lakeway MUD met in regular session Wednesday - here is that agenda. It appears their tax rate will stay the same next year, $0.2052 per $100 evaluation. There was much discussion on an ongoing IRS audit and the other item that took a lot of time was an attempt to remove Linda Wishard from the APC committee that failed for lack of a motion. Here is a link to the video page if you would care to watch the whole meeting.
From Steve Jones:
Last week we met with representatives of the developer for the Lakeway Regional Medical Center. They indicated a desire to revise their site plan to include about 250 apartment units on the property. The developer expressed a need for close, affordable housing for hospital employees. This might be an appropriate location but staff is very concerned about potential traffic impact on an already congested section of RR620.
There was much discussion at last week's ZAPCO meeting on the proposed zoning change and special use permit for Lakeway Airpark South. The plan was again postponed pending revision.
ZAPCO also deliberated a proposal from Las Ventanas t develop a nine acre apartment complex in Lakeway Highlands. There were many concerns and action was postponed on this also.
The commission also voted to recommend annexation of the remaining areas under consideration with the exception of the Lochan Ora Subdivision (located North of and adjacent to City Park).
Chief Radford reports the Public Safety Day has been rescheduled for October 22. All first line supervisors received training in the new Guardian software - we have a trial program and have rolled it out for testing.
Shannon Burke reported he has received a number of special event permit applications for fundraiser for the fire victims, so you may see some banners over the next couple of weeks directing folks to fundraisers.
Numbers released from the State Comptroller's office indicate that our sales tax receipts are up 10.6% over year to date from last year.
______________
CBC will meet in regular session next Thursday at 9AM. Here is that agenda.
Council will meet Monday evening at 6:30 - here is that agenda. There will be several items on the agenda that I expect will have lengthy public hearings. Annexation of North Brooks Hollow and amendments to the R-6 zoning along with amendments to Subdivision and Site Development plans is early on the agenda.
Annexation of several other areas is also on the agenda with public hearings on each item.
There are also several Special Use Permits on the agenda, all of which will have public hearings.
All of the items pertaining to Lakeway Airpark South have been postponed per request of the submitter.
I received a report of commendation for our police this morning. It seems that bicycles were stolen from a resident of the World of Tennis and shortly after discovery, the police had recovered the bicycles and made an arrest! GREAT job!
That's all for now - more as I find out!
Thanks for LOOKING!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Here is a link to Texas Parks pictures from around the area. Here is a link to a news release from LCRA - it speaks to curtailing water usage including downstream users.
We actually had a little shower today - I hope it's a sign of things to come!
The Lakeway MUD met in regular session Wednesday - here is that agenda. It appears their tax rate will stay the same next year, $0.2052 per $100 evaluation. There was much discussion on an ongoing IRS audit and the other item that took a lot of time was an attempt to remove Linda Wishard from the APC committee that failed for lack of a motion. Here is a link to the video page if you would care to watch the whole meeting.
From Steve Jones:
Last week we met with representatives of the developer for the Lakeway Regional Medical Center. They indicated a desire to revise their site plan to include about 250 apartment units on the property. The developer expressed a need for close, affordable housing for hospital employees. This might be an appropriate location but staff is very concerned about potential traffic impact on an already congested section of RR620.
There was much discussion at last week's ZAPCO meeting on the proposed zoning change and special use permit for Lakeway Airpark South. The plan was again postponed pending revision.
ZAPCO also deliberated a proposal from Las Ventanas t develop a nine acre apartment complex in Lakeway Highlands. There were many concerns and action was postponed on this also.
The commission also voted to recommend annexation of the remaining areas under consideration with the exception of the Lochan Ora Subdivision (located North of and adjacent to City Park).
Chief Radford reports the Public Safety Day has been rescheduled for October 22. All first line supervisors received training in the new Guardian software - we have a trial program and have rolled it out for testing.
Shannon Burke reported he has received a number of special event permit applications for fundraiser for the fire victims, so you may see some banners over the next couple of weeks directing folks to fundraisers.
Numbers released from the State Comptroller's office indicate that our sales tax receipts are up 10.6% over year to date from last year.
______________
CBC will meet in regular session next Thursday at 9AM. Here is that agenda.
Council will meet Monday evening at 6:30 - here is that agenda. There will be several items on the agenda that I expect will have lengthy public hearings. Annexation of North Brooks Hollow and amendments to the R-6 zoning along with amendments to Subdivision and Site Development plans is early on the agenda.
Annexation of several other areas is also on the agenda with public hearings on each item.
There are also several Special Use Permits on the agenda, all of which will have public hearings.
All of the items pertaining to Lakeway Airpark South have been postponed per request of the submitter.
I received a report of commendation for our police this morning. It seems that bicycles were stolen from a resident of the World of Tennis and shortly after discovery, the police had recovered the bicycles and made an arrest! GREAT job!
That's all for now - more as I find out!
Thanks for LOOKING!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Last Week, Looking Forward
ZAPCO's regular meeting was held on Sept. 7th. Here is that agenda.
Items 1-9 were approved with little discussion.
Items 10-11 were recommended unanimously with some discussion from North Brooks Hollow and Travis Oaks Trail.
Item 12 - Consider annexation by City of Lakeway.
All sections on this agenda item were recommended for annexation except item 12e, a subdivision known as Lochan Ora, located East of Hurst Creek and North of Lakeway Park.
13-15 After much discussion the Special Use Permit for Lakeway Airpark South was denied 3-2. After discussion on the zoning change the commission retracted the denial and tabled all three of the items to allow applicant time for a revision.
16-18 Were all passed unanimously.
19-21 These items included a section of the Highlands the developer wants to re-zone for multifamily (R-8). It was tabled to allow the developer more time.
22 This item was passed unanimously.
This meeting set a record for time I think. It actually adjourned about 3:15.
CBC met on Thursday - here is that agenda.
Item 1 was denied on site. The applicant wanted to put a pool in front of the house and has a septic field in the back restriction that area. Since LMUD sewer is available at that location and there were concerns on screening and fencing, the application was denied.
2. Variance was approved - road requiring 25' setback was never built and commission felt it never will be.
3. Two requests were considered, the variance to build a cantilevered walkway above ground in the 5' building setback was approved. Request to allow a detached structure without a covered breeze way was denied.
One of the big concerns of the City is the continued high fire danger in the area. Since the temperatures are climbing again and expected to be in the 100+ degree range this week, please use extreme caution whenever outside or in any of the Cities parkland.
Here is a link to a Youtube video of planes scooping up water from Lake Travis a few days ago.
Here is another link to a video posted by Texas Park and Wildlife showing how fast the fire moved.
You might have noticed that the parks and greenbelts were closed for a couple of days last week. Because of the extreme fire danger these areas were closed. Please be aware that if necessary this could happen again as long as the heat and drought are with us. Citizens safety is our prime concern!
Today there will be another budget work session at City Hall starting at 2PM. Here is that agenda.
Thanks for all the support! I have been traveling quite a bit the last couple of months and hope to get back to a more regular schedule of posting!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Items 1-9 were approved with little discussion.
Items 10-11 were recommended unanimously with some discussion from North Brooks Hollow and Travis Oaks Trail.
Item 12 - Consider annexation by City of Lakeway.
All sections on this agenda item were recommended for annexation except item 12e, a subdivision known as Lochan Ora, located East of Hurst Creek and North of Lakeway Park.
13-15 After much discussion the Special Use Permit for Lakeway Airpark South was denied 3-2. After discussion on the zoning change the commission retracted the denial and tabled all three of the items to allow applicant time for a revision.
16-18 Were all passed unanimously.
19-21 These items included a section of the Highlands the developer wants to re-zone for multifamily (R-8). It was tabled to allow the developer more time.
22 This item was passed unanimously.
This meeting set a record for time I think. It actually adjourned about 3:15.
CBC met on Thursday - here is that agenda.
Item 1 was denied on site. The applicant wanted to put a pool in front of the house and has a septic field in the back restriction that area. Since LMUD sewer is available at that location and there were concerns on screening and fencing, the application was denied.
2. Variance was approved - road requiring 25' setback was never built and commission felt it never will be.
3. Two requests were considered, the variance to build a cantilevered walkway above ground in the 5' building setback was approved. Request to allow a detached structure without a covered breeze way was denied.
One of the big concerns of the City is the continued high fire danger in the area. Since the temperatures are climbing again and expected to be in the 100+ degree range this week, please use extreme caution whenever outside or in any of the Cities parkland.
Here is a link to a Youtube video of planes scooping up water from Lake Travis a few days ago.
Here is another link to a video posted by Texas Park and Wildlife showing how fast the fire moved.
You might have noticed that the parks and greenbelts were closed for a couple of days last week. Because of the extreme fire danger these areas were closed. Please be aware that if necessary this could happen again as long as the heat and drought are with us. Citizens safety is our prime concern!
Today there will be another budget work session at City Hall starting at 2PM. Here is that agenda.
Thanks for all the support! I have been traveling quite a bit the last couple of months and hope to get back to a more regular schedule of posting!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
Monday, September 5, 2011
Catch Up and Current Events
If you have been watching the news, you probably already know of the fire issues in our area and all of Texas. The cooler temperatures are nice, but the wind is making fire conditions worse. Steiner Ranch, Bastrop, areas off Hamilton Pool and Hwy 12 and areas around the Pedernales are all affected.Here is a link to some aerial photo's supplied by Jeff Brinkman!
I have just been notified that all Travis County and DPS deputies have been called in to help with traffic and evacuations in the area. We are using some of our resources to help when we can. Lakeway appears to be in good shape for the time being.
In case you haven't heard, Lakeway MUD has gone to stage two water restrictions, bummer! Here is a link to their webpage for all the info. Please adhere to these restriction, we are in a major drought!
From Steve Jones: Cheif Radford reports that the FBI arrested a suspect in a robbery in Round Rock at a home in Lakeway by tracking the suspects cell phone. The suspect was not a resident of Lakeway.
We now have an executed copy of the new franchise agreement with Austin Energy - this will provide funds in next years budget!
The building permit for Holiday Inn Express was approved last week and site work is ongoing.
City Staff met with the Lakeway MUD officials and are working to acquire easements and licenses across LMUD property to allow construction of walking trails that will connect residents in western Lakeway to Rough Hollow and the Canyonlands Trail system. Easements are also in the works for new bicycle trails in the Hamilton Greenbelt. LMUD officials have been helpful and seem to be supporting our plans for the trails.
_________________________
ZAPCO will meet in regular session on Sept. 7th at 9:10 AM. Here is that agenda. It will be a long session as you can see from the agenda. The issues that I expect will take much of the time are zoning amendments for R-6, Site Development amendment - Flood Plain, Annexation issues, and possibly zoning issues with multifamily tracts in the Highlands.
CBC will meet next Thursday at 9AM. Here is that agenda. There are several variance requests on that agenda.
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