“The state of the city is strong, diverse and resilient,” DeLisle said. “We’re setting our path straight and planning for a future that can weather economic turmoil, natural disasters and thousands more residents.”
At the event, DeLisle noted some of the key factors that took place in the last year and highlighted exciting projects to come in the upcoming year.
Last year, Leander offered girls softball for the first time in the city’s history. The inaugural season wrapped up with 150 young ladies proudly representing Leander, DeLisle said. Kickoff for 2023 spring teams begins at the end of February. So far, 96 girls are committed to play.
The Leander Activity Center opened last year at the space where Hill Country Bible Church previously met. In 2023, the Leander Senior Activity Center will break ground with an opening slated for 2025.
This year, the Leander Fire Department will begin construction on an EMS bay for Fire Station No. 2, which is anticipated to be completed in 2024.
Leander will also focus on safer roads, DeLisle said. Recently, the public works department began construction to put stop lights at two of the most controversial intersections in the city. As of last week, the light at the intersection of Ronald Reagan Boulevard and Hero Way is operational. The city will continue to work on the light at the intersection of South Bagdad Road and Sonny Drive, which is planned for completion in September.
Other projects to keep an eye this year include the Raider Way and Woodview Drive widening, the San Gabriel Parkway extension, the 183 corridor study, and the RM 2243 widening.
Leander’s wastewater sludge processing project is nearing completion. This project will improve the city’s wastewater treatment plant performance and efficiency. The Brushy Creek Regional Utility Authority Phase 1D and the Deep Water Intake are still under construction. The city has multiple water-related projects that are underway in some fashion this year, DeLisle said.
Last June, Leander hired the city’s first conservation coordinator, Bill Teeter, who will help the city keep up conservation efforts. Since starting the position, Teeter has curated a collection of conservation books at the library, given irrigation assessments and helped kickoff an irrigation pilot project. This year, he will work on drought-resistant gardening presentations and coordinate a public rain barrel sale for the spring.
DeLisle said this year the city will continue to seek out opportunities to diversify the city’s tax base.
“We want primary employers both blue and white collar, so that every resident can have a job nearby,” she said. “We want places for people to shop and eat, and opportunities for them to increase their skills to climb the career ladder.”
This year, the Old Town Master Plan, a new sign ordinance and an updated noise ordinance are all expected to come to Leander City Council. Old Town Park, which is part of the Old Town Master Plan, will also break ground this summer.
In 2022, the city issued 1,581 new single-family development permits. Last year was the first time since 2018 the city saw a decline in the number of single-family development permits, which means things are being done right, DeLisle said.
“For the first time, we’ve reigned in growth instead of letting it go unmitigated,” she said.
The city passed an ordinance that limits zoning requests that add residential or increase the density of residential development. This came after concerns of keeping up with water demand in light of the city’s continuous growth.
Another initiative council implemented was roadway impact fees, which ensure roads are developed and redeveloped equitably throughout the city. In the coming year, the city will be looking to increase the amount of parkland that developers provide when they build in Leander.
“We are not the current darlings of the development world,” DeLisle said. “But we’re standing up for all of our residents who have already invested here. We’re looking out for you and your interests above anyone else’s.”
