Those looking to buy a home in Leander could see a broader mix of architectural styles in the future now that City Council is moving forward with creating a residential pattern book.

During a June 15 meeting, council members directed city staff to begin compiling the plan for a residential architectural pattern book. Leander Assistant City Manager Tom Yantis said the book would provide another option for homebuilders in Leander to use when designing the architectural features of houses.  The pattern book would include historical architectural styles from Leander’s historic residential homes and could include traditional styles and more modern options.

Mayor Chris Fielder said the plan would be less strict than the city’s current Type A and Type B architectural components. Both regulate items such as the amount of masonry allowed on exterior walls, the design features on the exterior walls and the height of the building, though to different extents.

Fielder said if developers have a plan but do not want to follow the city’s architectural standards, they currently have to seek special permission from City Council, such as through a planned unit development.

“If you don’t want to build under our current A or B architectural features, here are some items that we will allow without having to go through a PUD process,” he said.

He said an example is Starlight Village, a subdivision of 1960s-style detached condominiums at 1001 Horizon Park Boulevard. Fielder said the developers came before the city with a plan that did not fit with Leander’s architectural standards, so they had to go through the PUD process, which was more expensive.

“This changes that. This puts an element in where they don’t have to do a PUD, they can build under standard zoning matching the book,” he said. "It’s actually more lenient and would be more cost-effective if they follow one of these plans.”

Some council members were positive about the pattern book, while others expressed concerns.

“I just think diversity is really what we need up here,” said Council Member Andrea Navarrette. “We have a lot of neighborhoods that are very similar, so this would give builders opportunities. “

Council Member Troy Hill said he thought it was the role of the residential builders, not City Council, to provide residents with a mixture of housing styles.

The motion to move forward on starting the pattern book process was unanimously approved. Here is a tentative timeline for the project: