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Leander commission backs Oakwood Hills rezoning; annexation required before council can act
Summary
The Leander Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve a rezoning request for the Oakwood Hills subdivision, contingent on a separate annexation action that must be approved by City Council.
The Leander Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to approve a zoning change for the Oakwood Hills subdivision, contingent on the property’s annexation by the City of Leander.
Staff said the applicant has submitted a request to change the site’s zoning from interim SFR-1-B (single-family rural) to SFR-2-B (single-family rural) for seven parcels totaling about 337.292 acres west of Nameless Road. Marilee Van Lubin, planning department staff, told the commission the annexation must be approved before the zoning request may be acted on by City Council and that a resolution to adopt an annexation schedule is scheduled to be heard by council on March 6.
The zoning request would allow development of a large-lot single-family neighborhood; staff said the proposal is compatible with the future land-use category referenced in the staff report and recommended approval contingent on annexation. The applicant, Luke Carraway, president of Viewpoint Engineering, said the development would build roughly 205 lots at about 1 acre each; he said the project proposes to extend water service to the site but that most lots would use on-site septic systems. Carraway described the homes as higher-end and estimated prices (as his observation) roughly in a $1 million–$2 million range.
During discussion, several commissioners voiced no objection. One commissioner noted the property’s proximity to the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge and urged preserving mature junipers as well as hardwoods when tree-removal permits are submitted. The applicant said large-lot development typically limits grading and that preserving wooded vegetation is a priority for the proposed community.
Vice Chair Colomba moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner Landrip seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Because staff recommended approval only after annexation, the decision recorded by the commission will not be final until the City Council completes the annexation process and acts on the zoning ordinance. The staff report noted that utility extensions (water) will be required and that wastewater is proposed to be handled by septic on individual lots.
Votes at a glance: Motion to approve rezoning Z-24-0124 (interim SFR-1-B to SFR-2-B) — mover: Vice Chair Colomba; second: Commissioner Landrip; outcome: approved (unanimous).
