(*updates bottom of post to clarify no legal action has been taken against the city of Bee Cave at this time)
The City Council directed staff to look into amending the language of the city’s lighting ordinance for future outdoor sports venues. Any future ordinance would not necessarily affect existing sports facilities in the city limits, City Manager Travis Askey said.
"Any future revisions to the ordinance would not necessarily impact existing facilities or locations; however, it may be helpful to engage a professional lighting consultant to assist with drafting specific language criteria Council could consider at a future meeting date," Askey told the meeting attendees. Once drafted and if approved, that same language may be beneficial in developing future lighting compliance agreements as well, Askey said.
The council also voted to authorize a general election Saturday May 5 to elect a mayor and two council members. The first day to file for a place on the ballot is Wednesday, January 17, 2018. The last day to file is Friday, February 16, 2018.
Applications will be available in the City Secretary's office the week of January 2nd. Early Voting begins on Monday, April 23rd and ends Tuesday, May 1st.
Development roundup:
- The city of Bee Cave Council on Jan. 9 approved a site plan for a two-story office building to be located at 3805 Juniper Trace, Bee Cave. The 12,347-square-foot building will go up in Bee Cave Plaza beside the Primrose School, according to city records.
- The franchisees of the McDonald’s located at 12514 W. Hwy. 71 near Hill Country Galleria secured approval from the City Council on Jan. 9 for a face-lift of the fast-food restaurant, marking a significant renovation plan since it first opened for business in 2001. City records show the outdoor children’s play area will be moved inside. Along with a new lobby, restrooms and accessibility features inside, the familiar green Mansard roof will also be updated with a parapet, which is a type of flat roof where the wall comes slightly above the roofline to form a barrier. The sidewalk and landscaping around the restaurant will also be improved, city records show.
- Bee Cave City Council also approved the site plan for the Kiddie Academy at Bee Cave day care on a 1.6-acre parcel in front of the Bella Colinas community on West Hwy. 71 and directly adjacent to Lake Travis ISD property. The day care center will serve up to 190 students with 20 teachers and be about 10,000 square feet with another 6,100 square feet dedicated to a fenced playground, city records show. The Bella Colinas community’s commercial section is made up of 11 lots spread over about 23 acres, city records indicated. The corporate parent of Kiddie Academy already has other day care centers in Pflugerville, Round Rock and Cedar Park, company staffers said.
- The City Council also approved a Domino’s pizza restaurant to be located at the new Bee Cave shopping center, also known as the Summit 56, at 15500 W. Hwy. 71 at Vail Divide in the city of Bee Cave. Serasana and Mona Lisa Smile are also among what will be seven tenants in the new space, Community Impact Newspaper reported.
- The council approved as well a single-story medical and office space to be located beside the Prep School of Bee Cave at 14001, Bldg. 1, Bee Cave Parkway, known as the Bee Cave Professional Park. The council agreed to plan amendments to increase the footprint of the building from 7,000 square feet that it approved in October 2015 to 7,900 square feet. That would allow enough room for about four businesses, the developer told meeting attendees. An added proposal to allow office uses as well as medical also went forward.
Lawsuit from developer of The Backyard
The council also met in executive session to discuss with the city attorney a letter sent to the city by developers of The Backyard. It requests the city keep all relevant correspondence between parties that could be used in a possible legal action. The council in December voted down an amendment to the development plan that would have reduced the size of a planned music venue to accommodate concerns about a single main access point on Bee Cave Parkway. Council members indicated they wanted the Backyard project to include a second entrance/exit onto Hwy. 71. To date, the developer has been unsuccessful in securing an easement from the neighboring property owner to the south. No council action was taken after the executive session.
