Discussion around this donation took place during the Dec. 16 City Council meeting, at which the city elected to table the item for a later date.
Information from Lakeway states the Serene Hills developers were required under the city’s code of ordinances to dedicate 7.07 acres of public parkland with $353,000 worth of improvements to the land. A 2013 revision of Serene Hills identified 8.26 acres to be donated to the city that met the slope and access design standards required for public parkland.
City information states the developer, Serene Hills Ltd., has completed the project’s proposed trail system, which satisfies the required cost of improvements.
The developer has also proposed to donate to the city an additional 68 acres of open space as well as an additional trail system, all of which span the western half of Serene Hills toward Hwy. 71.
"We have walked those trails to get an idea of what they look like," Lakeway Building and Development Director Charlotte Hodges said. "They've gone in and made these very interesting pieces."
City Council accepted the donation during its Dec. 16 meeting.
Interim City Manager Julie Oakley said the initial 8.26 acres of improved and donated park land will be compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act, but the remaining acreage likely still requires work toward compliance.
"There are a couple of issues we still need to work out, and that is why we're asking council to table it," Oakley said.
Council Member Gretchen Vance said she just wanted to make sure the city is not biting off more than it can chew.
"This is more fire trap than what is going on with the Hamilton Greenbelt," Lakeway resident Tom Kilgore said during public comment, referring to a wildfire mitigation project underway within other greenbelt land in Lakeway. Kilgore added council needs to consider emergency access for first responders with regard to the additional 68 acres in consideration within Serene Hills.
The Serene Hills development, which is nearly complete, includes more than 300 single-family lots, a 34-acre multifamily development, 40 acres of commercial land, 8.26 acres of public parkland and over 136 acres of open space or greenbelt property, according to city documents.
