The specifics
The county’s approval allowed for 53 single-family homes and four multifamily lots containing 68 villas to be built in just under 340 acres of land. It also set aside land for three golf courses and a marina. The final development—called Travis Club—will span over 1,000 acres and include 497 single-family homes and other amenities along Lake Travis, according to county documents.
The backstory
Developers have been seeking to transform the land near Thurman Bend Road for over a decade. The master plan for the project—originally called Vizcaya—was approved in 2008 by the Lower Colorado River Authority; however, the permit application expired in 2012, and a master plan approval expired in 2013.
The plan was presented to the court again in July 2022 and approved by commissioners under the condition that developers would conduct a traffic impact analysis, which was then submitted to the county in March.
The plan has already received approval from the LCRA and from the Travis County fire marshal.
What residents are saying
For years, Lake Travis residents have voiced concerns about Travis Club potentially causing traffic congestion, water shortages and harm to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.
Several residents appeared at the July 18 meeting to raise concerns regarding the development’s traffic plan, which only includes one active road for drivers to enter and exit the neighborhood and three crash gates, which are used for emergencies.
“The main concern we have at this point is that there is a single entrance to the entire development,” resident Kent Radford said at the meeting. “We think we need substantially more work done there. We need multiple entrances, not simply access points for emergency services. And we also think that it would be wise to reduce the number of homes.”
What the county is saying
Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea said the county was “handcuffed” as the Texas Legislature has limited the county’s power when approving projects.
“The county doesn't have zoning powers. So when a certain development meets all state laws, we are basically required to approve them,” Travis County Commissioner Margaret Gomez said at the meeting. “If we don’t approve them, we get sued. And to tell you the truth, I don’t like to use public money for lawsuits.”
