Council postpones vote on Claravan future land‑use change after packed public testimony

Lakeway City Council postponed action Sept. 15 on a future land‑use map amendment requested by Hurst Harbor Marina’s owner to reclassify two parcels along Claravan from commercial and residential to mixed use. The item drew dozens of speakers from adjacent neighborhoods and the ETJ, most of whom urged the council to reject the change.

What the proposal would do

The owner asked the council to change the future land‑use designation for lots near the marina to mixed use; staff and the Zoning & Planning Commission recommended approval, and staff noted the proposal aligns with a draft comprehensive‑plan map. ZAPCO’s recommendation was unanimous.

Public comment and concerns

Residents and homeowners associations submitted written protests and dozens of speakers said mixed‑use or higher‑density redevelopment would be out of scale with the neighborhood, increase traffic and threaten the area’s lakefront character. Speakers included property owners who live adjacent to the parcels and residents who described narrow streets, existing school and park traffic, and prior promises about allowable uses.

Council action

After extended public comment, Councilmember Sherman moved to postpone the future land‑use amendment to the Oct. 20 council meeting to give residents and staff more time to review the proposal and gather additional input; the council voted to postpone the item 5–2. The applicant also asked to postpone a related zoning item; council set that item for the same Oct. 20 meeting.

Ending

Council members said they acted to afford more time for the public and staff to resolve questions and to ensure adequate notice and review before changing the city’s future land‑use map.