Yes or No to Car Dealerships in Lakeway?

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.