According to Planning Director Robin Griffin, committee members will meet at least 10 times over the next year. In addition to five committee meetings, they will be asked to attend two “open house” gatherings with the public and three joint meetings with council.
The committee will also confer with Halff Associates, a Dallas-based firm hired for $198,860 on Sept. 19 for consulting on the comprehensive plan, and other stakeholders in the city, according to city documents.
Updated every five years, the comprehensive plan serves as a long-term guide for the city, showing in detail where different development types—such as residential, commercial and industrial—should be allowed throughout the city. It also lists goals for the city in terms of economic development and quality of life, according to the city.
Committee members and the entities they represent include:
- Planning and Zoning Commission: Annette Sponseller
- Parks Board: Randy Hutchison
- Public Arts Commission: Deanna Ramirez
- TIRZ Board: Joe Eckels
- Economic Development Committee: Bob Shaver
- Leander ISD: Jimmy Disler
- Chamber of Commerce: Bridget Brandt
- ETJ resident: Herb Meischen
- Old Town: Frank Stiles
- Place 1: Jeff Fox
- Place 2: Kathy Howell
- Place 3: Pete Tamez
- Place 4: Richard Schaffner
- Place 5: Chelsea Irby
- Place 6: Kelsey Stone
- Place 7: Jason Anderson
Nine of the members were appointed and approved by council as a whole. The other seven—each picked by a council member—were individually appointed by each council member.
Before the regular meeting began at 7 p.m., council members and staff held a workshop at 5:30 p.m. to attend a launch celebration of the new Leander pickup service offered by Capital Metro. The service is similar to ride-hailing and allows riders to arrange a ride through the Pickup app to their destination within a zoned area. Riders pay the standard fare of $1.25 per trip.
