The Leander Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted May 14 to approve a new planned unit development for the gym chain Life Time, an upscale athletic country club, on two parcels totaling 14 acres at 11675 Hero Way West.
The land, which is north of the South Street Villas, was originally split-zoned for a mix of townhomes and commercial use. With the approval of the rezoning to create Life Time’s PUD—a special use permit—the business can operate from 4 a.m. to midnight, with amplified sound from the planned pool deck allowed between 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The plan
Life Time is seeking to construct a 100,000-square-foot fitness center featuring a spa, salon and cafe, according to a letter of intent submitted to the commission. The proposed Life Time location would include outdoor facilities, including an outdoor pool deck with a play area for children and an amplified sound system.
The pool deck would measure approximately 45,000 square feet, with an outdoor bistro and seating area, according to the letter of intent. The pool would feature a combined lap and leisure pool, with family swimming typically occurring between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to city documents.
According to Natalie Nye, a representative from Life Time, the facility is working to keep the pool 200 to 400 feet away from residences to the south.
“There’s potential that it could move around a little bit, but we don’t want to go any closer than that,” Nye said.
The project intends to use Brushy Creek as a buffer between the gym and the townhomes, said Sydnie Hansen, a Leander assistant planner. Life Time has not received any objections after informing neighboring properties about the proposed zoning change, according to Nye.
The proposed change will go before Leander City Council members June 18, according to a letter sent to neighboring property owners.
A closer look
Additionally, Life Time offers two hours of daily childcare for children between the ages of 3 months and 11 years.
Life Time has already begun preliminary traffic reports and will provide a "robust report” as part of its site development plan, Nye said.
Although part of the site was previously rezoned to general commercial for the Greenlight Village development, the project’s developer has not moved forward with the development, according to the presentation.
Currently, Life Time has five locations across the Austin area.
