Weather Update, Special Council Meeting, Area Construction and More!

*****Weather*****

We pretty much skated on the severe weather Friday!  Although we did have a lot of wind - gust of 39 mph at my house and we got some pea size hail also.  We actually got about seven tenths of an inch of rain with a correction - the wind blew so hard earlier that it shook my rain gauge and added .17 inch that I subtracted.

It's going to be a little cooler through the weekend and a warming trend starts quickly - highs Tuesday and Wednesday will again be in the 70's with more clouds and a chance of rain through the week.  Enjoy the Texas weather!

*****Special Council Meeting*****

Council will meet in Special Session on Monday, January 13 at 2:00 p.m., here is the agenda / packet.

3)  Update on the Comprehensive plan - Although they have not published an addendum yet, I expect it will be significantly like the report published at the last presentation.  Should be a lively conversation although that will depend on attendance.

4)  Also an update on the "Transportation Study".  This should also be interesting.  The Council will be working on determining if a bond election is warranted to build roads that will in some cases make developers land significantly more valuable.

The attached packet has lots of information on the different areas of interest.  From maps of the areas studied, evaluation criteria, potential investment criteria, roadway congestion metrics, costs  and priorities.

There is a lot of DATA but very little agreement between the different parties and significant expense that needs to be born by parties that will benefit from road construction.  There are ways to direct those costs - taxing districts, etc. but they are sometimes hard to establish and get parties to agree to.  They also in most cases are expensive and disproportionately impart costs to future residents. 

Some parts of the study are areas that are not in the city - this means the entities that "own" these areas including the County and The Village of the Hills should be on the hook for costs.

There will already be a road bond on the ballot to pay the $5M promised to TxDOT for the 620 improvement.  There will also be some monies needed for possible Right of Way acquisition for 620.  The City is required to contribute some funds but I have no idea how much it will be.  I'm sure the city is in negotiations with TxDOT on that but it has not been publicized. 

5)  Discussion of Policy Issues Relating to Vaping Ordinances.  Ms. Higginbotham has been involved in vaping discussions in the community and the schools.  It appears that now the city might want to get into Vaping Ordinances?  Slippery Slope!  

All items are noticed for discussion and action - more after the meeting.

*****Area Construction*****

Ladies of Charity 1-11-2020

The Ladies of Charity building near the Baylor Scott and White Hospital is moving along.  They have the foundation up and most of the steel framework installed.  It's a GREAT organization, here's a link to more information! 

I'm told the Springhill Suites near BS&W is also moving forward.  Current forecasted opening date is sometime in March.  We'll see how that forecast holds up...

The La Quinta is moving on too - they even have drapes in the rooms.  They are forecasting end of February.  We'll have to watch that date too!

*****Area Closings*****

Another store in the Galleria is closing - Victoria Secret.  827 Rays that changed to Texas Street Grill a few months ago also shut down.  They are changing the venue type and will be open soon again.  No word yet on what's going in at Tai Spice's location - there were some negotiations with a possible Cuban Restaurant but nothing final.  There will be something there soon, nothing stays vacant there long!

That's all for right now.  More after council meets Monday - it should be over before midnight since they are starting at 2:00 p.m.

Call me for aerial photo's - joe@skypcit.com and be sure to visit the website Sky Pictures for examples of what's available.

If you would like to be added to my email list, send a note to lakeway@bain.us and I'll get you added - please forward the blog to your neighbors and friends in Lakeway and share on Facebook!

Joe Bain
lakeway@bain.us