Leander Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed requests relating to three subdivision plats and the rezoning of land zoned for heavy commercial to multifamily and local commercial zoning at its meeting Thursday.

1. Commissioners approved a final plat for three parcels of land in the Travisso subdivision. The plat includes 172 single-family, eight landscape, three water quality pond, two drainage and one private drive lots northwest of Travisso Parkway and FM 1431, according to the meeting agenda packet.

This is the second phase of the Travisso subdivision, which is being built by the developers of Steiner Ranch in Austin, and could include nearly 3,000 homes once complete.

2. The commission approved a preliminary plat for the Alterra subdivision north of the northeast corner of Hero Way West and North Bagdad Road, according to the agenda packet. The development will contain 61 single-family lots on approximately 11.08 acres.

3. The commission extended the expiration of the Phase 2 final plat for the Parker Tract, located northwest of the intersection of Limestone Creek Road and Flintlock Drive. The plat features seven single-family homes and an open space lot, according to the agenda packet.

The plat had a six-month expiration date when it was approved Jan. 12, but the developers cited postponed closing on the purchase of the property and work order delays as reasons why they needed an extension, according to a letter included in the packet. The six-month extension moves the final expiration date to Jan. 12, 2018.

4. Four citizens spoke during the public hearing of a zoning case rezoning approximately 16.859 acres from heavy commercial to multifamily and local-commercial zoning. The parcel of land is on Hero Way West around 2,500 feet west of the intersection with US 183 North, according to the agenda packet. Merritt Skye Senior Living, Senior Village at Leander Station and single-family homes are currently near the lot.

On June 22, the applicant requested multifamily zoning for the land but withdrew the request to add commercial zoning at the direction of commission members, according to the packet.

At Thursday’s meeting, Rob Stone, president of The Duke Companies developers, presented the new request on behalf of the applicant, Ramalingam and Maragatham Sivaswamy.

Leander residents voiced concern about changing property values, potential crime, lower water pressure and increased traffic on nearby roads if an apartment complex is constructed on the property.

“Right now, [the lot] can be developed as heavy commercial, and those usages don’t have as many restrictions on operating hours and aren’t as compatible with residential areas,” Commissioner Laura Lantrip said. “Changing it to [multifamily housing] is actually improving the zoning.”

The commission approved the request with the staff recommendation to modify the architectural component from Type B to Type A, which would require 85 percent masonry on all levels of the apartment building, according to the agenda packet.

The commission’s recommendations will go to Leander City Council for approval.