Lakeway City Council is considering a zoning amendment for C-4 zoning that will allow auto dealerships in the city limits. During the last meeting held on October 2nd, the Zoning and Planning Commission recommended approval of the amendment by a vote of 4-3. Of the fourteen people that spoke during the public hearing, eight were in favor of the amendment and six were opposed.
This is likely to be a close call, so be sure to show up at the Lakeway City Council meeting tonight at 6:30 pm to voice your opinion.
If you’re not familiar with the zoning amendment, you can see the full Staff Report here and read an overview of the proposed amendment, the draft amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, information provided by the North Lakeway Village Committee, and a concerns list.
Here’s a snippet of background information from the Staff Report…
Earlier this year, Lexus of Austin approached city staff and council members with a proposal to develop a high-end automobile dealership at the corner of Clara Van and RM 620. Understanding that automobile sales lots are prohibited in Lakeway, Lexus outlined above average development standards that they hoped would make the proposal more palatable to the community. The city’s prohibition against automobile sales lots was adopted as part of a broad amendment to the zoning ordinance in 1995. This amendment followed the city’s first annexation of land along the RM 620 corridor, and established standards designed to control the character and density of commercial development.
After meeting with staff to discuss their proposal, Lexus held two public meetings for the homeowners’ associations and residents of the neighborhoods adjacent to the proposed location. Staff attended both meetings and noted all issues raised by members of the community. Following the second meeting, the North Lakeway Village residents appointed a committee to present their concerns to the city. Staff met with them a number of times to answer questions, to provide information about the process that the proposal would follow, and to prepare to negotiate on their behalf with Lexus. These meetings culminated in the committee distributing a letter to each North Lakeway Village resident. Read more…
Yes or No?
Some of the people that speak in favor of the proposed zoning amendment believe that allowing Lexus of Austin to develop the 39 acres under C-4 zoning is a better option than what could get developed under the current C-1 zoning for office and retail development.
Keep Lakeway Beautiful is against the zoning change and believes the decisions Lakeway City leaders are making is between upholding our city zoning ordinances, city mission and community values or eliminating our zoning ordinance that prohibits car dealerships in Lakeway by creating a C-4 District.
Find out more and sign a petition against car dealerships in Lakeway.
As always, be sure to jump into the comments to speak your mind.
Lakeway City Council Meeting
Monday, October 21, 2013
Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.
Lakeway City Hall
1102 Lohmans Crossing
Lakeway, TX 78734 (map)
Photo credit Say No to Lexus in Lakeway Facebook Page
Check out the Lake Travis Real Estate section for more information on historic landmarks, area neighborhoods, buying and selling tips, and local market conditions.
This just in from the City of Lakeway…
Lakeway City Council on Oct. 21 unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinances to create a C-4 zoning classification that would allow auto sales in city limits only on RM 620 or SH 71.
The new classification requires auto dealerships to be at least 2 miles from another C-4 zoned area, on a minimum lot size of 20 acres and only at intersections with traffic signals.
City staff members met with residents near Clara Van Trail and RM 620, where the first C-4 zone is under consideration, and incorporated their input and components of the city’s Comprehensive Plan into the amendment.
After conducting a public hearing at their Oct. 2 meeting, Zoning and Planning Commissioners also recommended approval of the amendment.
C-4 zoning is:
•A minimum lot size of 20 acres;
•A location only at a signalized intersection;
•A location separated from R-1 and R-1* residential zoning;
•A location at least 2 miles from another C-4 zoned area;
•A limit of 40% impervious cover;
•The sale of more new cars than used cars;
•The sale of cars of one make per dealership;
•Lighting compliant with city’s light ordinance;
•Buildings no higher than 37 feet;
•Building setbacks of 100 feet and buffer zones of 50 feet;
•Hours of operation within 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
•Any fuel storage tank to be buried;
•Existing trees and topography retained to fullest extent possible.
•Permanent structures on-site for make ready, detail, and wash facilities;
•A location devoid of on-site advertising such as inflatables, balloons and window art or stickers; and,
•A location devoid of outdoor speakers or paging systems.
C-4 zoning is not:
•Zoning that would allow a “motor mile” of contiguous car dealerships;
•Zoning that would allow a “big box” or mega-dealership of multiple makes and models;
•Zoning that evidence has shown to have a negative effect on property values; and,
•Zoning that would have a detrimental effect on Lakeway’s quality of life.
What happens next:
Lexus of Austin and property owner Larry Niemann have submitted applications for rezoning and platting of 20-plus acres of land at the intersection of Clara Van and RM 620, and for approval of a preliminary plan related to development of an automotive sales and service facility.
All of the items are scheduled for public hearings and deliberation during the November Zoning and Planning and City Council meetings Nov. 6 and Nov. 18, respectively.
If approved in November, the rezoning request would result in the first use of the city’s new zoning designation, C-4, Automotive Sales and Service, at Clara Van and RM 620, which was previously zoned C-1 commercial.
Approval of the preliminary plan, a document which essentially illustrates the site layout and demonstrates compliance with applicable zoning and development codes, is the first step in the process of developing the project.
Lakeway City Manager Steve Jones noted the minimal effect an auto dealership held to stringent C-4 zoning standards would have compared to the myriad of uses permitted under C-1 zoning.
“At one time, a grocery store had expressed interest in opening a location at this site that could have exceeded 80,000 square feet and required larger parking lots,” Jones recalled. “I think the community will benefit from the possible addition of a business that features a much smaller footprint, blends in with the neighborhood and enhances Lakeway’s quality of life.”
A car dealership if not within Lakeway would be just outside its jurisdiction if it’s demographic says it’s economicly profitable. If there is to be one near here best to have it under Lakeways zoning guidelines.