Connecting the old and new is the central theme of a design plan set to guide future growth in Hutto.

Through a Capital Area Council of Governments grant, Hutto received a free design consultation from McCann Adams Studio. The studio provided feedback and development ideas for a "demonstration area" of the city spanning north of Hwy. 79 to SH 130, stretching to just south of Limmer Loop.

In a presentation to Hutto City Council on Nov. 7, McCann Adams Studio President Jim Adams discussed the company's findings. Based on studies and feedback from residents, Adams identified needs including diversity in housing options, connectivity and an increased job base.

"People want the city to evolve beyond the bedroom community and have more jobs and a mix of uses so they aren't having to travel so far out of town for basic services and so the tax base can be more balanced," Adams said.

Based on the feedback, the studio offered development recommendations, which the council adopted at its Dec. 19 meeting. Some of the design suggestions included widening Hwy. 79 to increase mobility, improving Emory Farms Avenue and creating a mixed-use development with residential and retail zoning in the city's co-op area west of downtown.

The city does not have enough funding to implement all of the recommendations, but Hutto Development Services Director Will Guerin said city staff will look at how and when the suggested development could be put into place.

"It's up to staff to determine how to best implement these recommendations," Guerin said. "There's no time frame on implementation, but we are redoing our comprehensive plan."