As development growth continues in Georgetown, several developers have made use of a unique zoning option called the planned unit development, or PUD, which comes with negotiated land uses and development standards approved by City Council for a specific piece of property.

PUDs are adopted as amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance and must be approved by council members before taking effect. They are tailored to particular locations and property uses.

While PUDs allow developers greater flexibility outside of the typical zoning standards, they also require that the quality of the development must be equal or better than what would be outlined by standard zoning.

The Summit at Rivery Park, which is anchored by the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel and Conference Center, is one example of a recent local development that operates as a PUD. Developers of the proposed Wolf Lakes Village near Hwy. 29 and I-35 are expected to apply to the city for PUD approval before breaking ground.