Leander City Council and the Leander Planning and Zoning Commission met Jan. 9 to discuss changes to the city's Smart Code, which dictates how development can occur in the Transit-Oriented Development District.
Consultants Sandy Sorlien and Michael Watkins with Michael Watkins Architecture presented an updated version of the Smart Code—version 9.2—to the two boards at a special joint work session. Each member gave his or her own vision of how the area known as the TOD, which surrounds the Capital Metro train station near US 183, should be developed in the coming years.
"This is our unique area. This is also our future and our identity in the future," said councilwoman Kirsten Lynch. "I love the idea of vertical [construction] rather than horizontal. I know there will be neighborhoods on the outskirts, but I envision the community core being businesses."
Several board members said more focus should be placed on a smaller, dense urban core, possibly allowing for more flexibility for developers. The 2,300-acre area has a TIRZ, or Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, which was put in place by City Council and Williamson County in 2006.
