Legacy DCS submitted its second request to amend its original development agreement with the city for Eastside Landing to no longer require them to build a connection to Flint Rock Road within its project. The development agreement was approved by Lakeway City Council for single family residential R-1 and R-3 zoning in June and was annexed into the city in November.
Following the property’s annexation into the city, the developers requested an amendment to the agreement in November to remove a requirement to post fiscal bonds and construct the portion of connecting road within their development. The developer cited complex topography and unfeasible construction as the reason for amending the agreement, which would require a substantial buildup of the terrain to meet code and would be cost-prohibitive.
Another reason for the request not to connect Flint Rock Road with Bow Cross Point was that it would become a collector road, bringing unnecessary traffic through residential streets, Legacy Director of Development Paul Shepherd said. The developer offered to pay its proportionate share of around $160,000 for the road’s construction and to set aside a 100-foot right-of-way for future development by the city. This amendment was denied by council in November, prompting the developers to return again in January with another request to revise the amendment.
The new amendment requires notification of the public and two public hearings at City Council meetings before it can be approved. Gary Taylor, The Serene Hills Housing Association president, voiced his support for using Serene Hills Drive as a point of entry for construction vehicles throughout the project.
"I think especially with the Serene Hills HOA warming to this plan as it's presented, if you're talking about a 20% grade on this temporary construction entrance that's off Flint Rock, I would rather just see that not be in existence at all," Council Member Gretchen Vance said. "It's just an accident waiting to happen. But, I do agree that none of that traffic should come across the existing Bow Cross and disturb the residents of Serene Hills."
This land is important to the city because it contains the planned site for a future extension of Flint Rock Road to Bee Creek Road that would alleviate growing traffic problems in the area, Assistant City Manager Joseph Molis said. The original agreement was approved with a stipulation requiring the developers to build the portion of Flint Rock Road that goes through the new development, which is part of the city’s Thoroughfare Plan outlining long-term recommendations for roads and shared-use paths within the city and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
According to historical city documents, Bow Cross Point originally was constructed with the intent to eventually connect with Flint Rock Road. Bow Cross Point as it stands today terminates in a cul-de-sac, but the plan proposed by the developers would create a temporary construction entrance at the end of the street, as well as create a temporary construction entrance onto Serene Hills Drive.
Council members had questions during the Jan. 18 meeting as to why this entrance could be used for construction but not as a regular roadway for thru traffic. The developers were instructed by Mayor Tom Kilgore to return to the next council meeting with an answer as to whether or not the road connection is possible from an engineering standpoint, regardless of cost.
