The gist
With its strategic location by the new East Wilco Highway, The Gateway will be an anchor for the city’s entrance, said Robert Deegan with Rialto Studio Landscape Architecture, the land planners for the project. He presented the project on behalf of landowner Steven Wolfe and development partner Harris & Straub.
“We want to give you a clear picture of what it is we want to build, how it will benefit the city, and what we need from the city of Hutto to make this vision happen,” Deegan said at the meeting.
The master plan for the project shows 256.7 acres broken down by use:
- 29.2 acres of multifamily residential (730 units)
- 12.7 acres of townhomes (125 units)
- 67.7 acres of single-family residential (285 units)
- 57.6 acres of mixed-use commercial
- 73.5 acres of open space
- 16 acres for right-of-way and other uses
The commercial sector will be concentrated in the middle of the development on either side of the highway. In addition to retail and dining, the plans show a hotel and conference center. The developers also hope to attract a grocer, Deegan said.
Central to the project, the green space will be oriented around the existing lakes and be connected through trails. The community park will be open for anyone in the city to use, but maintained by the property owners association.
“We’re really proposing here a pedestrian-oriented mixed use community with small-town charm," Deegan said.
The details
The site of Gateway is in Hutto’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The developer proposed an agreement that includes annexation into Hutto city limits, as well as receiving water and wastewater services from the city.
The development would require a new water loop, as well as a wastewater lift station to connection it to the city system, paid for by the developer.
“We would like to move as quickly as the city is ready to move,“ Deegan said. “There are a lot of elements of this that we could move forward while we work on the water commitments.”
As part of the agreement with the city, the developer also proposed funding traffic improvements as a credit toward the development’s traffic impact fees.
Improvements include a light at the intersection of East Wilco Highway and CR 137, as well as continuing the city’s project to widen and renovate CR 137 through the length of the development.
Looking forward
Council took no action on the development but provided feedback to the developer.
Mayor Mike Snyder said he isn’t a proponent of contributing city water to most developments. If the city decides to partner with the developer for Gateway, the developers can request water from Manville Corp.
The team of planners, developers and engineers will come before council again with an updated proposal.
