Lakeway Update: Infamous Weather, Wildlife, Council and More!

*****Weather*****

Well, it got cold again this morning, low was about 32.5° at first light. High yesterday was 63°. Not too bad overall for January - oops, it's November, burrr. Looks like the next couple of days it is going to be pretty nice, highs in the 70's, lows in the 40's and 50's. Next chance of rain Wednesday or Thursday. It's still dry, I'm appreciative of the rain we've had but we're still behind. Current conditions on the 15th Tee Box on Live Oak on this link.

*****Wildlife Open House*****

I went Thursday evening, attended better than I expected. Unfortunately there were more questions than answers. No presentation, just informational posters around the room. Places for folks to make comments on near the posters. Nothing new, no new solutions.

The deer herd grows annually at a rate of 35%. Let me put that into numbers. If the herd was 500 2 years ago it grew to 675 the next year and 900 last year. It shows at my home, our two herds have grown significantly.

Although there is significant disagreement on this, my opinion is the herd needs to be controlled. That was the recommendation to City Council from the committee.

In another 5 years, without some control and if the growth remains the same, the herd would grow to over 4000 animals. Lakeway can't support that size herd - we learned that in our history.

What are the options? Not feeding would certainly help, but that doesn't work. There's a feeder near our house I have posted pictures of twice now, still there.

Chemical sterilization is problematic. For one thing, it's not legal in Texas. The deer would still have to be trapped and dosed every two years. It also makes the meat not edible.

Physical sterilization is also problematic. Still not legal, would require trapping and very expensive. The two sterilization options would be an issue with the state because the deer are not contained and could / would wander to other areas.

That leaves TTT / TTP. It's my understanding that some deer could be trapped and transported to areas that have been decimated by anthrax. The TTP process could again be implemented and food would again be available to those that need it.

I'll leave with this thought. If the herd continues to grow at the average rate, it won't be long until there is no option. There will not be places to trap the deer (we've already lost about half of the trapping areas we used to use). What happens then? More auto / deer issues and the deer will become unhealthy as they did when when the program was started. Just the facts, your choice.

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*****City Council*****

Monday evening council will meet in regular session. Here is the agenda / packet.

Kind of mixing it up - the consent agenda is moved to the front and citizen's participation for items 10, 11, 12 is item 3.

13) SUP for short-term rental at 111 Javelin. Recommended by ZAPCO.

14) Future land use map change - this is a new step in zoning. It is to allow a change of use from "mixed use" to "residential" for the property known as the MUD property on Lohmans. Recommended by ZAPCO.

15) Zoning change for the above property to allow R-1* and R-3+ zoning on that property. Teh + in R-3 allows 60' wide lots to accommodate side entry garages. R-1* is slightly smaller than regular R-1 - a significant part of the older Lakeway is R-1*.

16) Request for land use map change for 15617 Flintrock (across from Flintrock Falls) to allow R-8 zoning. This is for apartments - 12 per acre. NOT recommended by ZAPCO.

17) Request for R-8 zoning for above property - Not recommended by ZAPCO. Both of these items would require a super majority vote.

18) Annexation of Crosswind Drive. Recommended by ZAPCO.

19) Zoning for above property to GUI - recommended by ZAPCO.

20) Third reading of revisions to Chapter 28 of the Code. These are the rules for subdivisions and site development.

21) Citizens Participation (my guess, 10-10:30? maybe)

22-26) The infamous executive sessions. Looks like they are going to talk about:

Real Estate issues with the Oaks PUD and Stratus Properties. I noticed Ms. Zimmerman side-pitched 350 apartments on the Stratus Property again in return for parkland.

Potential Muni building and parkland?

Possible lawsuit on Electra Street about drainage.

More talk about the Cherry Knoll L.L.C. lawsuits.

More talk about the City Manager Position. Why continue this discussion? Isn't there a consultant looking for a City Manager? Maybe a report on that.

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Been a big week for me too! Got a root canal on Monday and was deposed on the Cherry Knoll L.L.C. lawsuit on Thursday - I can't decide which one was the most fun......

Lot's going on at the Activity Center! Here's a link to the current events and happenings there.

November 22 is the Lights On celebration and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to light up the festivities. It's a fun evening and one of the remaining traditions in Lakeway.

That's all for right now! I appreciate the continued support of Lakeway Update Blog. If you would, please forward the blog to your friends and neighbors - they might be interested too!

Picture taking was a little slow this week, rainy and cold! Weather will be a little better the next few days, let's take advantage of it! Sky Pictures

A little plug - Bella (Carabella) was diagnosed with heart failure about a year ago - she won second place in the calendar contest (thank all my Facebook friends!). She is under the care of Lakeway Vet and Dr. Doyle has been a miracle worker - she is doing GREAT after a year and shows no sign of problems. His group has been a lifesaver (literally)! Thank you Dr. Doyle and Lakeway Vet!

Thanks again! Have a GREAT weekend and enjoy the sunshine!