Update: 8:55 a.m. April 3
The city of Leander has created a webpage listing Leander restaurants and what services are being offered, according to a news release.
Community Impact Newspaper has created a restaurant and retail map for Cedar Park and Leander.
Update: 2:45 p.m., April 1
Yard waste pickup for Leander customers will resume as of April 1, according to the city of Leander. Regular trash and recycling pickup will continue as normal.
Yard waste collection was suspended on March 23 to minimize COVID-19 exposure risk for customers and employees, according to a public statement from Al Clawson Disposal Inc. The suspension was expected to last four weeks.
Up to five bags may be left outside the waste container, and bags should not weigh more than 35 pounds, according to the city.
Update: 12:50 p.m. April 1
Rock & Rolls Sushi Lounge, at 1850 S. Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 201, in Cedar Park, is giving away free sack lunches to local children, according to general manager Bobby Joe Hernandez.
The giveaways will take place at noon Tuesday-Friday until lunches run out.
Leander ISD on weekdays continues to provide free breakfast and lunch pickups at four campuses.
Rock & Rolls is also offering curbside takeout from a select menu from 1-8 p.m., according to Hernandez. For more information, call the restaurant at 512-649-2222.
Update: 2:40 p.m., March 31
In a new executive order, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered that Texas public schools remain closed through May 4, he said during a 2 p.m. press conference.
Update: 1:15 p.m., March 31
Texas Health and Human Services has launched a 24-hour statewide mental health support line for Texans undergoing stress or anxiety as a result of coronavirus concerns, according to a news release.
Operated by the Harris Center for Mental Health and the state's Intellectual and Developmental Disability office, the support line offers confidential counseling at no cost to pcallers.
Available everyday, the toll-free line is 833-986-1919.
Update: 9:35 a.m., March 31
Leander City Council will meet by teleconference on April 2 to discuss Leander business grants, the Horizon Lake development and capital improvement projects.
City council may create a COVID-19 Emergency Grant Program, which benefits Leander businesses affected financially by coronavirus. The program would aid with personnel costs, rent, utilities and other costs.
According to the program’s draft ordinance, businesses with gross receipts below $150,000 in the prior year would receive a $1,500 grant, and businesses with greater gross receipts would receive $3,000.
The city’s total funds available in the program is $208,000, which comes from the Old Town Grant Program.
Each business must meet all guidelines within the ordinance and apply by Sept. 30 or before all funding has been used.
Also during the April 2 meeting, city council will choose to approve the zoning ordinance and developer agreement for the Horizon Lake Planned Unit Development/Transit Oriented Development.
A public hearing for 7.35 acres near West Broade Street and Hero Way West will not occur as the applicant withdrew the zoning request. According to the applicant's withdrawal letter, 153 signed neighborhood petitions were submitted to the city, and 151 were against the zoning changes.
City staff will also present an update on Fiscal Year 2020 Capital Improvement Projects.
Update: 2 p.m., March 30
On March 26, Leander Mayor Troy Hill ordered the city to reduce regulations for business signs and broaden local critical infrastructure construction to include residential and commercial development.
These changes will be effective through April 18. Signs will not require a local permit during this time if in compliance with the order, according to a March 16 release.
According to the Leander order, signs that advertise an essential business, as defined in the Travis County and Williamson County stay-at-home orders, must be located in the right of way, not exceed 3 feet in height, must be temporary, must be at least 5 feet from street pavement and follow additional conditions in the order.
"These actions should allow more flexibility in the promotion of essential business services, especially for our restaurants," Hill said in the release. "But we also have to do more. I am considering a variety of other actions as well."
Leander City Council will meet April 2, and additional actions will be considered.
