Officials on Tuesday continued discussions on the proposed 80-acre development to be called The Village at Spanish Oaks, this time holding a public hearing and considering the Planning & Zoning commission's recommendation in September to amend zoning for the site from mixed-use agriculture to planned development mixed-use. Council took no action Tuesday but is scheduled to vote on the amendment Oct. 23.
Like he did during the Bee Cave P&Z meeting and workshop two weeks ago, project developer Jack Creveling of CCNG Inc. began his presentation with a historical overview of the Spanish Oaks development, from its origins in 1998 to its newest addition of The Hillside subdivision.
Following developer presentations, Bee Cave Director of Planning & Development Lindsey Oskoui laid out plans for the development’s infrastructure and buildings. Oskoui said that should city officials approve The Village, developers plan to break ground in the fall of 2019.
City documents state the planned development district would include a mix of single-family townhomes, lofts over retail shops and apartment-style multifamily residences. Also included in the development are spaces dedicated for senior living units, offices, restaurants, a hotel/spa and recreation space.
Oskoui explained several aspects of the development Tuesday, including phases of infrastructure, building height and glazing, parking, road connectivity, utilities, lighting, landscaping and recreation areas.
But it was during public comment that residents' protests of certain aspects of the development emerged.
Several Homestead residents brought up concerns about traffic along Great Divide Drive, specifically regarding the Texas Department of Transportation and its influence over infrastructure planning related to the project.
During her presentation, Oskoui said that a planned traffic signal on Village Oaks Drive expected to be operational by the fall of 2020 would help diminish traffic congestion in the area. She added the projection was based on a recent transportation impact assessment paid for by the project's developers.
Roundabouts within the development as well as road connectivity plans designed to help motorists stay off Hwy. 71 will also help ease traffic, she said.
Creveling added that a possible bridge along the eastern portion of the development could further mitigate traffic. He said that the bridge, which would connect to The Shops at the Galleria south of Hwy. 71, is not currently part of the project's plan but the developers added space in their design in case it is deemed needed in the future.
Council Member Kara King said she is anxious to see if an accord can be forged between the developers and Homestead residents regarding the traffic concerns. She also shared concerns through her experience growing up in Plano, saying she has watched a town grow too fast only to end up with many empty buildings.
"I do not want to see this area grow like Austin," King said, adding that she would like to see what she described as a signature Hill Country aesthetic hold steady in the Bee Cave community as it grows.
Other resident concerns centered on the proximity of new buildings to Great Divide Drive, the effects of increased population density in the area, a spike in commercial and high-occupancy vehicles during construction and diminishment of the area's natural environment and wildlife.
One of the last people to speak during public comment, Great Divide Drive resident James Cooke, pleaded directly with developers.
"I think you guys have a great plan overall to provide jobs, and I don't have any issues with that per se," Cooke said. "But what I would say is that everything these citizens have said tonight, take it to wherever you go tonight and kind of read the notes; take it into consideration as you move forward in your plans. Nothing has been dug yet, and there can be changes."
Just before the conclusion of the public hearing, Mayor Monty Parker addressed attendees, stating that Bee Cave City Council and staff are working for all of citizens, and it is simply not possible to please everyone regarding The Village.
"I understand that there is a lot of angst among Homestead residents, but this is not just a Homestead issue, this is a Bee Cave issue," he said.
Next steps:
Oct. 23: City Council is scheduled to vote on the PPD ordinance.
2019: Assuming approval by City Council, developers plan to begin construction of related infrastructure.
2020: Developers plan initial construction of the project.
Other takeaways from the Bee Cave City Council meeting
Road widening
In order for residents to bypass space-consuming contractors' vehicles, Bee Cave officials approved the widening of a section of Spanish Oaks Club Boulevard approaching the gated east entrance of the Spanish Oaks subdivision.
The decision comes as construction began this week for the development known as Hillside at Spanish Oaks. City documents state that construction traffic at the east entrance of the subdivision and safety concerns raised by residents over queuing from contractor’s vehicles have informed the developer’s decision to seek a wider paved section to allow residents to bypass the contractor’s vehicles.
The Bee Cave Planning & Zoning Commission approved the widening Oct. 2, advancing the matter to City Council.
Connector roadway approved
Bee Cave officials unanimously approved construction of a private-access drive connecting Bee Cave Parkway to Ladera Boulevard. Coupled with the roadway will be the construction of water quality and detention ponds, as well as the installation of utilities in the service of future developments on the 23.7-acre lot.
City documents state the roadway construction will be limited to 8.6 acres, and it will be privately built and maintained by landowner Adrian Overstreet.
Bee Cave resident Andrea Willott said that she was very much in favor of the roadway. Other residents also spoke in favor of the roadway, saying that it would greatly reduce traffic in the area.
