Council approves cooperation agreement and 10‑year PILOT for Preserve at Mason Creek affordable housing project

The Leander City Council on Thursday approved a resolution authorizing a cooperation agreement and a payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILOT) arrangement under Texas Local Government Code §392.059(b) to support an affordable housing development known as the Preserve at Mason Creek on approximately 7.675 acres.

Robin Griffin, Executive Director of Development Services, introduced the resolution and agreement and said the item implements the presentation the developer previously gave to council. A representative of the applicant was present for questions but did not present new materials.

Resident Anita Chomnovich spoke during the public comment period and asked council to be cautious about decade‑long tax breaks. She said a 10‑year exemption shifts service costs (police, fire, EMS, infrastructure) onto other taxpayers, recommended requiring payments tied to service cost, annual audits and tenant reporting, and urged a sunset review so future councils could revisit any agreement.

Council member David McDonald moved to approve the resolution; the motion received a second and passed by voice vote (council did not record a roll‑call tally). The council announcement in the meeting record was “Motion carries.” The resolution and cooperation agreement will allow the Housing Authority of Travis County to acquire, finance, renovate, operate and manage the affordable housing development described on the posted agenda.

The council did not make further findings or attach additional financial details during the meeting; staff said the applicant representative was available to answer detailed questions outside the meeting.

Action summary: the resolution and the cooperation agreement were approved by council voice vote. The public comment record includes concerns about the length of tax relief, requests for oversight (audits and tenant reports) and a recommendation that payments be tied to the cost of city services.