Item 5 is a Code Amendment for Zoning. As you have probably heard, Lexus of Austin has come to the City requesting to establish an auto dealership at the corner of Clara Van and Hwy 620. This zoning (still a draft) would enable that to happen with a very strict set of rules. Here is a link to the current draft. Here are some of the important points:
* Impervious cover would be limited to 40%
* Specific criteria is established limiting the size and location of any type establishment
* Hours of operation are limited to 7:00AM until 8:00 PM
* Make ready and service facilities are inside buildings and have doors that will remain closed - keeps it quiet.
* None of the normal advertising for a regular dealership will be allowed
* Lighting will be limited to current City standards
* The natural terrain, including existing trees and topography will be retained as much as possible.
I for one think this might be a good fit for this property. This is a 40 acre property, zoned commercial, 20 acres of which will be the facility that could have been many different things. The last interested buyer was a store that would have clear cut and leveled the property, built a 100,000 sq. ft. store with probably 70% impervious cover and traffic would have been many times that of this dealership - with the other half of the property slated as high density apartments. The City was not enthusiastic about that plan. I invite you to attend ZAPCO if you have concerns - please read the draft document first to insure you understand what's really happening and not what is being stated by some folks with an agenda.
Golden Anniversary chairwoman Dee Ann Burns announced that 20 tickets to the Josey Ranch BBQ & Barn Dance on Oct. 5 have been returned and will be made available to the public.
Two tickets per person will be available on a first-come, first serve basis starting at 9 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Lakeway Parks and Recreation Department office in Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek.
For information, call Parks and Recreation at 512-314-7530.
Lakeway Firewise is having a field day in Hamilton Greenbelt Saturday September 28, from 8:30AM until 12:30 PM. Here is a link to more info - come out and help!
There will be a reception to celebrate the opening of the Photo Festival on Sunday, Sept 29th from 4-6PM at the Lakeway Library. I understand there will be wine and snacks and some real interesting photos of Lakeway history and current events. No charge!
This is not City sponsored, but there is a fundraiser for Save Lake Travis by the Central Texas Water Commission. Here is a link to more information!
From Steve Jones:
We conducted a staff meeting on
emergency management this week. After a
“table-top” exercise where we ran through a simulated emergency scenario, we
realized that in a real emergency we have a weakness in our ability to
communicate between departments. We
normally use cell phones, but we learned that during the 2011 fires, the cell
towers became overloaded and ceased to work for hours. This week we issued handheld radios to each
department so that we can maintain communications in a similar event.
This month’s staff report included a
presentation by former Mayor and Board of Ethics Chair Gerry Astorino. He discussed the changes to the ethics
ordinance and the new forms for staff and vendors.
Staff met with representatives from the
Abercorn International School this week, to review their updated proposal and
determine the extent to which they have been able to express concerns regarding
land use compatibility and circulation.
Chessie attended the monthly CAMPO
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting on Wednesday. The TAC is currently working through
amendments to the 2035 Plan, and updating and establishing policies for the
2040 Plan. Chessie will be attending a
TAC work session on performance measures for the 2040 Plan in mid-October.
The Charter Review Committee met this week to get organized. Alan Bojorquez briefed the committee on the legal aspects of a charter, and Alan Tye was elected as the committee’s chairman.
To date, the motorcycle officers have stopped 19 trucks violating the new truck routing ordinance.
LPD had several calls this week regarding thefts. The thefts included a Rolex being taken from a business, when a customer put it down and left it unattended, to a $3,000 copper theft from a marina.
LPD also responded to two calls for assistance at LRMC to remove uncooperative guests.
Officers recovered a runaway juvenile out of Bexar County at a home on Rolling Green.
Officers responded to two separate calls this week in which elderly persons fell and were injured. One was on Nautilus and the other at the CVS pharmacy.
A subject was arrested in connection with an Assault Family Violence with strangulation case, a third degree felony. The investigation has been ongoing for approximately the last month, and involved Child Protective Services.
Captain Crowder is working with an intern to re-write the animal ordinance.
Officer Gavit began the first ever partnership with Lake Travis ISD to create a mentorship program for a high school senior interested in a career in Law Enforcement.
Detective David Davis wrapped up his final week with LPD, his last day is Monday. We wish him well with his future endeavors. David’s retirement lunch celebration will be held on Friday, October 4 at 1130am at Fore. Come by if you have a moment.
National Night Out will be held on October 1, and it looks like we have 15 neighborhood meetings on the schedule.
From Troy Anderson:
Thursday, the City Building Commission took action on two items of particular interest. The first item was a request for vinyl-coated chain-link fencing around a tennis court. This item was heard two weeks prior but received a motion for postponement in order for City staff and members of the Commission to research the existence of such fences and the history of prohibition of chain-link fencing. Staff and the Commission found that while chain-link is prohibited in yard fences, vinyl-coated chain-link (generally wrapped with a mesh poly windscreen) was typical around tennis courts and similar sport courts. The Commission subsequently approved the request.
Also of note, the Commission denied a request for variance concerning an over sized playscape/playhouse located at 309 Hensley Drive. The homeowner built the structure without prior approval from the City, and after receiving a Notice of Violation, the City’s prosecuting attorney gave the homeowner the opportunity to obtain a variance. The homeowner has 30 days to appeal the decision to the Board of Adjustment, otherwise the structure will have to be removed or altered to comply with City codes and ordinances.
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Judge Madison reported that he was a Travis County Jail to magistrate and set bail for two defendants - one was Neil Getty who was arrested for alleged 3rd degree strangulation of his wife - his bail was set at $25,000 cash or surety bond.
Subject number 2 is Mr. Aranda, who has 3 unpaid traffic judgments/convictions- 2 for Driving While License Invalid and 1 Violate Promise To Appear in Court. Mr. Aranda owes the court $1,906. After advising him of his Miranda rights at the Travis County Jail, he told me he had no money and just started a new job but I refused to let him out on Personal Bond. Interestingly enough, 3 hours later his girlfriend called to advise she was on her way with $1,906 in cash! This is why I go down to jail as much as I can rather than release to appear in our court (RTA).
Thanks Judge!
Lately, I have seen many posts on area social sites complaining of the dangers and traffic issues on Hwy 71 - yesterday, I was driving north on 71 by the light at Hamilton Pool Rd. and was passed by a young lady in a new car texting full time while driving 70 mph and weaving in and out of the lane. Maybe this is one of the issues. Please don't drive distracted!
That's all for now - looking forward for a little more rain in the next couple of days!
If you would like to be added to my email list, send me a note at lakeway@bain.us!
Thanks for reading the blog!
Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us
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