Leander City Council approved the agreement and the development’s zoning changes for the Horizon Lake Planned Unit Development and Transit Oriented Development at its April 8 teleconference meeting.
The subdivision is located southeast of US 183 and South Street in Leander, and the concept plan includes 500 single-family homes with a minimum of 1,500 square feet.
The subdivision’s homebuilders, Pulte and Taylor Morrison, designed the homes after "Chip and Joanna’s home" for a younger demographic.
“We just want to make sure that what we’re approving will stand the test of time after Chip and Joanna have faded off into the sunset,” Leander Mayor Troy Hill said.
a fishing pier, walking trail, pavilion, picnic area, off-street parking and playground equipment will be included in 89.5 acres of public parkland in the neighborhood.
As part of the agreement, the developer will complete a traffic impact analysis and pay a $600,000 roadway adequacy fee to the city. Roadway improvements will be in the first phase of the project.
While the developer agreement passed unanimously, the zoning case passed with a 5-2 vote after council members disagreed about hours for potential commercial development. Council Members Michelle Stephenson and Christine Sederquist voted against.
The local commercial zone would limit business hours to close at 11 p.m on Fridays and Saturdays. Some council members wanted later hours for restaurants, while others wanted to limit hours for businesses next to homes.
“I don’t know that I really see the need to change the hours of operation,” Council Member Christine Sederquist said at the meeting. “I think the hours on regular local [commercial zoning] are sufficient for backing up to houses. I don’t see a benefit.”
The zoning was adjusted to make the hours of operation open ended.
