Community members filled The Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center on April 2 to discuss the Bastrop Gateway development. Place Designers officials held a presentation on the development followed by a Q&A session.

The gist

The plans include 600 residential units, including townhomes and apartments, as well as retail space and a hotel. The developer applied for a zoning change to a planned development district, requiring City Council approval.

What they’re saying

Those in attendance voiced concerns over the loss of trees, local wildlife and increased strain on already busy traffic conditions. Residents of the Lost Pines neighborhood located beside the development’s plot of land also voiced concerns for a loss of privacy and the introduction of traffic along Lost Pines Avenue, with the construction of a connection to the development.


What’s next?

Further discussion of the development will be heard at the April 9 City Council meeting.

Following a public hearing on the issue, council can choose to:
  • Approve the planned development district
  • Deny the planned development district
  • Remand the issue back to the planning commission
  • Approve the rezoning with conditions
Place Designers projects the following timeline for the development:
  • Phase 1: 2026
  • Phase 2: 2028
  • Phase 3: 2030
  • Phase 4: 2032
Upon completion of all four phases, the development would likely have 1,800 cars on the site at one time, Place Designers architect Steven Biegel said at the March 28 planning and zoning commission meeting. It is likely that Pitt Street will need to be widened, and a traffic signal will need to be added at the intersection of Walnut Street and Pitt Street, Biegel said at the meeting.

By the numbers


No economic incentives have been requested by the development at this time. The developers are expected to pay several million dollars in impact fees at $5,200 per unit, City Manager Sylvia Carrillo said at the March 28 planning and zoning commission meeting.

Looking ahead

A Houston toad study completed in August found no nesting or adolescent toads on the property. A traffic analysis, tree survey and hydrology survey for the development have yet to be completed. The city of Bastrop plans to conduct a tree survey at site plan review to prevent the property from being cleared of all trees as in previous developments, Carrillo said.