City launches new website for easier use
On March 16, the City of Lakeway unveiled a new website at www.lakeway-tx.gov.
The new website allows the city to have a design with better visual representation, Deputy City Manager Chessie Blanchard said.
"The old site was focused on information, whereas the new site will include service as well," Blanchard said.
The new site includes:
- A new central menu, which will help users navigate the site
- A new global navigation
- A request section where residents can report things such as potholes or street lights that are out and get responses from staff as the requests are being handled
- An intranet for city staff to access information, such as human resource information
- Video and slideshows
Residents can look for the "Let Us Know" link to fill out a request to city staff or the "Notify Me" link on the homepage to receive alerts from the city, such as special events, city job openings or public meeting announcements.
"The website is our central hub of communications. It allows people to do business online and find the information they need at their convenience. It's an excellent way to build good relationships with citizens and to make visitors feel welcome," Lakeway City Manager Steve Jones said in a news release for the new website.
CivicPlus, a company which specializes in building city and county e-government communication systems, maintains the city's website.
Lakeway City Council amends zoning code
On March 19, Lakeway City Council approved amending the city's zoning code to give the city more oversight on what can be built near schools and residential areas.
Shannon Burke, Lakeway director of Building and Development Services, said the city re-examined the zoning code because of the controversy over Recovery Ways, a post-detox addiction recovery center that was slated to be built near Lakeway Elementary School. Following a large public outcry, the city in February rescinded a site development permit it had previously issued for Recovery Ways.
Under the amended zoning code, almost all businesses looking to build and operate near a school or neighborhood must receive a special-use permit. A special-use permit requires a public hearing and approval from City Council and the Zoning and Planning Commission.
Professional offices such as architects, real estate agents and engineers are the only businesses that will not need a special-use permit to build and operate near a school or residential area.
The amended zoning code expands the types of commercial and office developments, regardless of location, that must get a special-use permit. Convalescent homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and liquor stores must now be approved for a special-use permit.
