Lakeway’s comprehensive plan should be ready to submit to the Lakeway Zoning & Planning Commission by the end of 2019 or the beginning of 2020.

That assertion came from Larry Harlan, the chair of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, who updated City Council on progress during the Sept. 16 regular meeting.

“We do want to have another town hall meeting around the end of October or the end of November,” Harlan said, referring to the city's public outreach effort that has run parallel to the construction of the new comprehensive plan almost since the process began.

Among some of the eye-catching facts presented during the meeting, Harlan said 96% of Lakeway residents own their own home, and 87% of residents plan to stay in Lakeway, according to a recent city-issued survey pertaining to the comprehensive plan.

City staff and the committee have already held several events promoting public outreach and resident participation on a survey tailored toward the ongoing plan, including a May 16 interactive event at the Lakeway Activity Center that had attendees see real-time results to survey questions.

The city of Lakeway released results of that survey in mid-July. Lakeway’s website states the survey collected 974 responses and more than 2,700 comments from residents, and based on that feedback city staff was able to approximate citizens’ top five priorities, with city character, community facilities and programs, and the environment taking the top three spots.

Harlan said the comments issued as part of the committee’s public outreach are telling, and as one example they revealed more walking trails and outdoor gathering spaces to be among what residents believe are the most important facets of the city.

Harlan also presented council with the committee’s top goals, which include sustaining a distinct community identity for Lakeway, preserving and enhancing the environment, and ensuring wise land use moving forward.

“We struggle with calling things goals … but these are what I would consider targeted areas of the comprehensive plan,” Harlan said.

The last comprehensive plan was completed in 2003, according to city officials, and the new plan will set the Lakeway’s goals for the next 20 years.

"I really appreciate the time and dedication from this committee," Mayor Sandy Cox said.