Belmont Village Senior Living gets council go-ahead

A master plan for Belmont Village Senior Living to move into West Lake Hills was approved by City Council on Dec. 14, with Mayor Dave Claunch as the deciding vote.

The main concern over the project was whether the project would be on the City of Austin's wastewater system or a septic system.

Belmont Village developers are discussing an agreement with the City of Austin to hook up to Austin Water Utility's wastewater system.

Another option for the developer would be for Wastewater Solutions to design a septic system, which would be permitted through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Councilman Earl Broussard took himself off the dais due to a conflict of interest because he lives near the project planned at Buckeye Trail and Bee Caves Road.

As a resident, Broussard spoke in favor of the project.

"This is a site we've had to deal with for a long time," Broussard said. "There was a lot of discussion, and I did not [get on board with] this project until everyone in the neighborhood signed on with it. I think it's a great community facility for West Lake [Hills]."

Other residents support the project for its low traffic impact on the neighborhood.

Buckeye Trail resident Jonathan Schoolar said, "The [traffic] for this project is a fraction of some of the projects we've looked at."

Councilman Spencer Stevens said he understood the project was good from a resident perspective but voted against the project's master plan as a representative of the city.

"I am looking at what is good for the city," Stevens said. "I was really hoping it would benefit sewer users."

Councilman Andrew Schwartz disagreed and said he supported the project either way.

"I have faith in the TCEQ standards for the state on the septic issue,"Schwartz said.