Georgetown City Council approved the first readings of two ordinances May 8 that would allow development on Gatlin Creek, a 121.6-acre property at 4900 Williams Drive, to move forward.

The council approved an amendment to the city's 2030 Comprehensive Plan that would change the future land-use designation for the parcel from low-density residential to mixed-use community. The amendment also allowed City Council to change the site's zoning from agriculture use to a Planned Unit Development.

David Wolf, who owns the property, said he plans to develop the property in three zones. The first zone, which will occupy the front portion of the property near Williams Drive, will be set aside for commercial and retail uses, while the back portion of the property could be developed as single-family residential, with some offices to the front and a possible assisted living facility on the northwest side of the property.

Residents from neighboring communities, including Casa Loma and Fountainwood Estates, spoke against the proposed development at the May 8 City Council meeting.

"Our comprehensive plan is a covenant between the City of Georgetown and its citizens, and it provides that the future land use of this property will be low-density residential," said Rene Broom, a resident of Fountainwood Estates. "At the time that this land-use agreement was made, the property owner could have protested the designation, but he did not protest."

Citizens opposed to the development also cited concerns over the effect development could have on water quality in Lake Georgetown. The property is adjacent to land controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers, which surrounds the lake.

Other concerns included drainage and development compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods.

Phillip Wanke, a land planner working with Wolf, said the development's stormwater drainage is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and according to city codes, the development cannot negatively impact water quality or runoff onto neighboring properties.

"It will meet the city's drainage criteria manual. It will meet TCEQ's standards for water quality, and if it happens to be in the inundation easement, the Corps of Engineers will also review it," Wanke said. "It can't increase the flows onto the neighboring property—in this case that means the lake—and it cannot be worse water quality than exists right now."

City Council voted 7–0 to approve both ordinances.