A proposed gated townhome community in Leander could bring 185 new single-family homes to the city. The development, Woodview, will be located on approximately 20.7 acres of land southwest of the intersection of Woodview Drive and Raider Way, near Rouse High School and Wiley Middle School, according to Leander documents. Leander City Council approved a concept plan, preliminary plat and planned unit development zoning for the gated community at its meeting Oct. 2. The neighborhood’s single-family townhomes would have detached and attached residences, said Todd Madden, president of development company Thompson Morris. Thompson Morris also developed the Stewart Crossing neighborhood in Leander, and when the new townhome community was presented to Leander City Council, it was called the “Enclave at Stewart Crossing” initially, Madden said. “We will be branding the community under the new name of ‘Woodview’ in reference to its location on Woodview Drive, as well as the community’s commitment to sustainability and green building practices,” Madden said. During the Leander Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Sept. 14, Commission Member Marshall Hines praised the concept of the development. “I’m interested to see how [the courtyard-facing townhome] works out so I’m thrilled that somebody’s giving it a try,” Hines said. “Really, you are just checking off my checklist full of items I like to see in a project right up until the end.” The development’s continuous parkland throughout the site and clusters of trees to be focused in open spaces are aimed to promote higher community engagement, Madden said. “The privacy piece of [having a personal yard] is being removed so that you get out there, go walk into the courtyards and you get engaged with the other residents,” Madden said at the Sept. 14 meeting. He said Woodview is designed for pedestrians, with rear-loading two-car garages for “folks approaching the front of the homes by foot.” “Courtyards and a string of park areas with a number of small-scale engagement points, as well as a network of community sidewalks encourage walkability,” Madden said. The council approved the developer’s request without staff’s recommendation for a roadway connection to the west, but with the addition of a 5-foot concrete pedestrian path. To meet the city’s maximum perimeter block length requirements, the path will be added to break up the block, city spokesperson Michael Neu said. Madden said homes should be ready for move-in around mid-2018, with the start of construction pending when development permits are issued by the city.