Council holds first reading on rezoning near North Lakeline for mixed commercial uses; neighbors raise traffic and buffering concerns

The Cedar Park City Council on Sept. 11 conducted the first reading and public hearing on a rezoning request for about 2.94 acres at 1401 North Lakeline Boulevard, moving to reclassify the property from professional office (PO) to local business (LB) to accommodate retail tenants the owner says have expressed interest.

City development services staff said the site is currently under construction for five commercial buildings totaling roughly 20,000 square feet. The property is bordered by a public school to the north, single-family residential to the east and west and a daycare facility to the south. Staff reported the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing Aug. 19 and unanimously recommended approval.

The applicant’s representative, Anthony Good of Good Faith Engineering, told the council that the owner has not yet signed leases but has received interest from potential retail tenants; no specific tenants or commitments were presented.

Several council members said the core question is whether the change is driven by a known tenant need or is a general allowance for possible retail. Council members expressed concerns about potential traffic impacts at school pick-up and drop-off times, the narrowness of the property and buffering between buildings and adjacent homes. Staff clarified a zoning height question: although PO allows greater maximum heights generally, both PO and LB limit buildings to 35 feet when located within 100 feet of residential property, so the nearby residential interface would be subject to a 35-foot cap under either district.

Staff offered to provide council a side-by-side chart comparing the PO and LB zoning districts for the site, including uses, setbacks and height/setback implications; council requested that comparison before second reading. The public hearing record included a single in-support comment from a city resident.

Because the item was at first reading, council did not take final action and continued the matter for a future meeting. Staff said they will return with the zoning comparison and any additional information council requests.