[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6574060,"mediaKeyId","3118280-f09cbd8fd8915d8b4d942faecc0f14e7","parentId",3118280,"title","Planning commission approves removal of significant trees for Leander Tech Park; developer to pay mitigation fees","audioSeconds",804,"startMs",1696000,"endMs",2500000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3118280-f09cbd8fd8915d8b4d942faecc0f14e7&start=1696&end=2500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3118280-f09cbd8fd8915d8b4d942faecc0f14e7/thumbnail_1696000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574060/Leander/Williamson-County/Texas/Planning-commission-approves-removal-of-significant-trees-for-Leander-Tech-Park-developer-to-pay-mitigation-fees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574060-d47651a270fbf61727dc8bc43d4c96e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153069&Signature=JXQQYnS~er2Xi33Q6N8uY5Oe7LNWvb9-zyiyi5KWxsx4p-15XYbaObLSgaVieeOjs5KsMDdWSkxRwOq4x8ZvEt36xV13UY~VKa6uYPqs-HbW0HlH~u-rbAku6SzJ1AV~q7NXOZXW~FotsjionWxKHPP-KaPg83xm18UV7XncQUSDBdSByjEkXdX1DVvK70SPlQRcBNH0LfVDWEvpIlvw0wK~VTRhvuAMT0AWjdzcmQSiUMTaAJk7av3Ql3t2RI6s1H8MYnrFuk6cqgKManPpYvdl9FSLQYtmJBk-DKqG6SIvE7jTLUmQHhGI1FILw-FFqcQqjVp26ZQyjwCJqcoucQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Leander","date","2025-04-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Leander Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday approved a permit to remove multiple significant and heritage trees on the Leander Tech Park site to allow public improvements, extension of Kaufman Loop and grading for pad sites. Staff described the request as the first step in the tree‑removal process; because heritage trees are involved, the case will also come before city council.

Corey Dell of the planning department told commissioners the development will remove heritage trees greater than 18 caliper inches associated with the public improvements and site development. Staff documented that the applicant would pay $300 per caliper inch for heritage trees removed (114.5 caliper inches), would receive credit for preserved understory trees (897.5 caliper inches) and would add extra on‑site plantings totaling about 601 caliper inches. Dell said the remaining caliper‑inch deficit would be paid at the fee‑in‑lieu rate of $150 per caliper inch, and staff calculated total fees owed at about $321,375; the fee must be paid before issuance of site‑development permit SD240086.

St. John Properties representatives said they redesigned portions of the ponds and adjusted pad layouts to preserve additional heritage trees where possible. Brooke Harlander, regional partner for St. John Properties, said the team aimed to preserve trees and to plant above‑code replacement trees rather than simply pay fees. Landscape architect Cliff (KW Landscape Architects) said the design prioritized preservation of heritage trees first and told commissioners that only one heritage tree remained on the primary building sites after design changes; several others lie within easements or public improvement footprints and require removal.

Commissioners acknowledged the difficulty of balancing tree preservation and development. Commissioner Mahan said the lot was heavily forested but praised the applicant for preserving perimeter heritage trees and locating a public detention pond to provide buffer from adjacent neighborhoods. Commissioner Landrip asked about species preserved; the applicant said understory and preferred‑plant‑list trees included oaks and cedar elms. Vice Chair said the percentage of trees removed was substantial but recognized the effort to preserve key heritage specimens.

Dell said mitigation fees collected are used by the city for park and landscaping projects. The commission voted 4‑2 to approve the permit.

Why it matters: The decision allows a large commercial conversion of forested land to proceed while requiring significant on‑site replanting and a six‑figure mitigation payment intended to fund public landscaping and park tree replacement.

Next steps: The applicant must pay mitigation fees and complete required plantings before the site‑development permit is issued; because the request involves heritage trees, the removal will also go to city council for final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Leander - P&Z Commission - Apr 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a tree‑removal permit for the Leander Tech Park public‑improvement and site‑development work after the developer said it had reduced pond footprints and increased on‑site replanting; the permit carries roughly $321,375 in mitigation fees and a requirement to finalize payment before site‑development permit issuance.","taxTitle","Leander, Williamson County, Texas","taxId",2825,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574065,"Commission approves minor PUD to allow VFW Post expansion, outdoor events in Leander",440,876000,1316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3118280-f09cbd8fd8915d8b4d942faecc0f14e7&start=876&end=1316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3118280-f09cbd8fd8915d8b4d942faecc0f14e7/thumbnail_876000.jpg","/articles/6574065/Leander/Williamson-County/Texas/Commission-approves-minor-PUD-to-allow-VFW-Post-expansion-outdoor-events-in-Leander","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574065-5f9b8a4fbe99816362eb8af55a280892/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153069&Signature=g0ycJiKPdtgNXL9BobwIa2NwRnPii6U6VhTEQyaZNsC5y0gxBofhj4Yacpx1pFBpvWUaNj-yVqWYT3ph0YgyTU2oOO13CQkN2CHtUDcnw05Y-nNLjV95kEHPRsVHKINZZva6ugQw1HBp3-NYlC0VPiwxjdfiDAiiDJTPZvn9O5T~~0Vk44vqaYfxLDkx4kmeAj4Z05dzqdEEbw6kWKBxEkx2luJRaod6Hz0i71P8NT7HVpL-BgZnT867wiD1ZKnkw0zRbn6xLByCjGeRObQ5ZIw71f9dS2zXHOYKciNVnvHQDcVPoNb6S9OzrIw9e2vsdFrv~HJy0FY-Hd41cfs6rA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leander Planning and Zoning Commission approved a rezoning to establish a minor planned‑unit development for VFW Post 10427, allowing the site to add intermittent outdoor uses including event space, outdoor sporting activities, a music venue, a drive‑in theater, a food‑truck park and a farmers market.

Staff called this the first step in the zoning process and recommended approval. Planning staff said the proposal complies with the Comprehensive Plan and the site sits inside the Employment Centre; the requested base zoning district is LC‑2A (local commercial). Chris Fielder, representing the VFW, told commissioners the change would spare the post from repeatedly applying for special‑use permits for events such as the pumpkin patch and barbecue fundraisers.

Anita Chunovich, a Marbella HOA board member, said she supports the PUD and asked that the site‑plan phase consider sound orientation: \"all I ask is that when you do your architecture plan ... be conscious of where the sound direction is,\" she said. Commissioner questions focused on whether temporary events would require separate permits and how noise would be managed. Staff said events would still have to comply with the city's noise ordinance and that a special event permit would be required only if the event closed roads or exceeded thresholds for attendance.

Commissioner Landrip moved to approve the VFW minor PUD; Commissioner Morales seconded and the motion passed.

Why it matters: The PUD formalizes a zoning approach that allows the nonprofit to hold recurring fundraising and community events without separate special‑use permits for each occasion, while retaining noise‑ordinance protections and event permitting for larger gatherings.

The commission did not attach additional conditions at the public hearing; staff will review architecture and site‑plan details in subsequent approvals.","The commission approved rezoning to a minor PUD to allow VFW Post 10427 to host intermittent outdoor events including a music venue, drive‑in theater and food truck park; staff recommended approval and nearby HOA expressed support.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574069,"Leander planning commission extends construction-plan deadlines for Wild Springs and Hawks Landing",153,565000,718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3118280-f09cbd8fd8915d8b4d942faecc0f14e7&start=565&end=718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3118280-f09cbd8fd8915d8b4d942faecc0f14e7/thumbnail_565000.jpg","/articles/6574069/Leander/Williamson-County/Texas/Leander-planning-commission-extends-construction-plan-deadlines-for-Wild-Springs-and-Hawks-Landing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574069-43e8e2bb94ff8c3e0be862503009cd0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153069&Signature=aS1iiUbi6yNYsh2eT1LNDSRxp1iXw83tAccIEcBBhs1ELN4uyCXGUnA-3B1GUvKs0ADL1bS5ZoyzEH7jae45F64j86r02mjJuyEmNMkTytfoLWV9aR1ItGXf-H4dCqC5o01HYPtxX084v6iq4HL0XfxcnAfG82hyFu7VERhLmE~b9bIMI1~WEibgW03-NFUFdjrY8qnQLLmKQ71KZ4JqKOMnUF1ZNd~u~icT4~D2cNHEZSRxssNlpi00Apr-cNV0Dwuy19zwUzuGmXKhHii6OGw0hq8Zf5a9X0wz6HOmmR8OTCVdd5Ix8~NYGMl~mv9YwQmaXxe1EhtPtut5dfjg0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Leander Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday approved 6-month extensions to the construction-plan expiration dates for two subdivision projects, Wild Springs (PICPDash23Dash0052) and Hawks Landing North Phase 1 (FPDash23Dash0108), citing third‑party review delays and outstanding county approvals.

Staff recommended the extensions to allow applicants time to finalize construction plans and schedule preconstruction meetings. Carina Casio, with the planning department, said the subdivision ordinance allows an initial nine‑month plan life, a six‑month administrative extension by staff and subsequent six‑month increments by the commission. Casio recommended two six‑month extensions for the Wild Springs roadway plans, which would extend the expiration to 08/05/2025.

The recommendation for Hawks Landing North was a single six‑month extension that would set a new expiration of 08/02/2025. Casio told commissioners that the Hawks Landing package covers 49.941 acres and 128 residential lots; the applicant said they had submitted a revised engineered solution after encountering groundwater and were under construction on the fix.

Commissioners discussed the public‑interest consequences of repeated extensions. Commissioner Mahan said the city needs the roadway improvements “yesterday” and asked, “At what point do we say enough is enough?” Casio and other staff explained delays have been driven in part by third‑party reviews and coordination with Williamson County and state reviewers, including TCEQ, and that the city has recently added post‑review comment resolution meetings to speed reviews.

Vice Chair (name not specified) made the motion to approve the Wild Springs extension and Commissioner Landrip seconded; the motion passed. For Hawks Landing, the vice chair moved to approve and Commissioner Morales seconded; that motion also passed.

Votes at a glance
- PICPDash23Dash0052 (Wild Springs; CR 175 roadway improvements): Motion to approve two additional six‑month extensions to construction plans, extending expiration to 08/05/2025. Mover: Vice Chair. Second: Commissioner Landrip. Outcome: approved (vote tally not specified in transcript).
- FPDash23Dash0108 (Hawks Landing North Phase 1 final plat): Motion to approve a six‑month extension to construction plans, extending expiration to 08/02/2025. Mover: Vice Chair. Second: Commissioner Morales. Outcome: approved (vote tally not specified in transcript).

Why it matters: Staff said these extensions avoid forcing applicants to restart applications and preserve developers’ vested rights; commissioners emphasized the city benefits from timely roadway construction but acknowledged that external agency reviews and developer sequencing can slow the process.

The commission noted it has begun meeting with applicants earlier in review cycles to resolve comments and reduce the need for future extensions. Staff said the extensions would allow final plan approval and scheduling of preconstruction meetings; no further conditions or amendments to the projects were recorded in the meeting minutes.","The Leander Planning and Zoning Commission approved 6-month extensions for construction-plan expirations on two subdivision projects—Wild Springs (CR 175 roadway improvements) and Hawks Landing North Phase 1—after staff said third-party reviews and county coordination delayed work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission approves removal of significant trees for Leander Tech Park; developer to pay mitigation fees

Commission approves minor PUD to allow VFW Post expansion, outdoor events in Leander

Leander planning commission extends construction-plan deadlines for Wild Springs and Hawks Landing