Council reviews revised thoroughfare plan options; staff favors Option 3 to avoid floodplain crossings

City staff returned to council on Feb. 24 to present updates to the draft major thoroughfare plan, focusing on the area south of Highway 71 and proposed east–west connections and realignments on Hamilton Pool Road.

Mallory of Friese & Nichols reviewed three options and explained environmental constraints—water-quality buffers and floodplain—that shaped revisions. Staff recommended a revised Option 3 that removes a proposed connection near a storage facility and realigns intersections to avoid floodplain crossings and expensive bridge structures. The revised Option 3 also includes two collector connections between Bee Cave Parkway and Highway 71 and removes Shops Parkway as a primary collector in the study area.

Council members raised safety and capacity concerns, especially potential queueing near Highway 71, and possible impacts of shifting traffic closer to BK Elementary. Mallory said the team modeled scenarios and found volumes remain below thresholds that would cause unacceptable spillback to the state highway, and said coordination with TxDOT and the school district remains necessary. Staff indicated the plan will be noticed and go to Planning & Zoning (target: second meeting in March) and then back to council for a final vote in April.

Residents who spoke during public comment urged selection of Option 3 to reduce impacts on private properties; staff noted Option 1 could involve bridge construction north of the study area with an estimated order-of-magnitude cost north of $5 million for floodplain crossing work. Council took no action tonight; the item was presented for discussion and direction.