Lakeway panel approves height variance for new fire station at 1211 Lohmans Crossing

The Lakeway City Building Commission voted to approve a variance allowing a proposed fire station at 1211 Lohmans Crossing Road to reach 40.5 feet above the highest natural grade under the slab, exceeding the 32-foot maximum in the Lakeway code of ordinances.

The item, presented June 10 by Cameron Balman of Malone Wheeler on behalf of Travis County Emergency Services District No. 6, drew brief public support from residents before the commission closed the public hearing and approved the request.

The variance request arises from horizontal site constraints, Balman told the commission. Easements, a natural creek setback and a dedicated plat building line reduce the constructible area and require pushing the new building toward Lohmans (Lomond's) Crossing Road so fire apparatus can exit directly onto the street. The design calls for larger automatic roll-up doors and an apparatus bay height that the presenters said requires a 40.5-foot finished building height measured from natural grade under the slab rather than the 32-foot cap cited in the code section referenced in the application.

"The site is constrained with multiple easements, the natural creek area, [and] a building setback line," Balman said, explaining that those horizontal limits pushed the facilities to be built taller. He said orienting the apparatus doors toward Lomond's Crossing Road improves egress and response times compared with the existing station.

The application materials highlighted a dedicated building line shown on the plat that is more restrictive than the city—s 25-foot setback; the plat line pushes the buildable area to 40 feet from the property edge, further constraining the layout. Presenters also showed renderings and a context map comparing the proposed footprint to the existing station and nearby infrastructure. The presenters noted the rear of the site borders a naturalized creek area that will not be developed.

Two Lakeway residents spoke in favor. Fritz Weiss, 208 Corinthian, said, "Anything for the public safety. That's it." Larry Conwell, 109 Duck Lake, said he supported the fire department and handed photos of trash and wildlife in the creek area to commissioners for the record.

After closing the public hearing, the commission discussed the operational benefits of the proposed orientation and then voted to approve the variance. The motion as recorded was to approve the variance as noted; the motion carried with no recorded opposition. The meeting record does not specify individual mover/second or a numeric roll-call tally.

The approved variance applies only to the height limitation identified in the application and does not, in the meeting record, change other code requirements or conditions; the presenters and commissioners discussed placing the building nearer the street to reduce visual impact on nearby residences and to position apparatus for safer, faster exits.

The applicants identified Malone Wheeler as the agent for Travis County ESD 6 and said Lakeway-area fire chiefs were present during the presentation. The commission adjourned following the vote.

Details provided in the meeting record were limited to the variance request, site constraints (easements, creek, building-line setback), and the stated operational need for taller apparatus bay doors. No permit issuance, construction schedule, or funding details were included in the public record of the hearing.