Leander council accepts petition to begin review of Oakwood Hills annexation; resident raises water, road and wildlife concerns

The Leander City Council on Feb. 6 accepted a petition to start the formal review and scheduling process for the Oakwood Hills voluntary annexation (case A‑24‑0015) and the adjacent right‑of‑way along Nameless Road. Acceptance starts the public hearing schedule; it does not itself annex the property.

During public comment, Laura Dow, a resident of the extraterritorial jurisdiction at 21612 Long Hill Drive, spoke against moving prematurely toward annexation without more information. “My primary concern is water usage,” Dow said, noting regional drought conditions and that the lake “is, I believe, 56% empty right now.” She asked that city leaders ensure existing, promised water resources for current residents are protected before adding new demand.

Dow also raised safety concerns about Nameless Road, which she said has a blind corner and repeated vehicle incidents. She asked that the city consider significant improvements to Nameless Road if development advances. In addition Dow said she did not see materials showing the property’s inclusion in a “Zone 2 potential golden‑cheeked warbler habitat” and said there may be a pioneer cemetery on the site that would require protection and mitigation.

City staff clarified the council action before the vote: accepting the petition “sets a schedule so there will be public hearings” and does not itself approve annexation or zoning. Staff said zoning and annexation requests will proceed to the Planning & Zoning Commission for public hearings and then return to the council for two public hearings before a final annexation decision.

Council voted unanimously to accept the petition and calendar the item for the Planning & Zoning and future council hearings. Council members encouraged neighbors to monitor future agenda postings and attend the hearings when details on services, water, and environmental review become available.