News from Austin, Travis County and Sunset Valley
Travis County supports TxDOT's efforts to improve efficiency, safety, capacity of I-35
Commissioners backed a plan Oct. 8 to have the Texas Department of Transportation lead a multiagency team to study ways to improve I-35.
County documents state that the 28.5 miles of I-35 in Travis County are considered the fourth most-congested corridor in the state and that I-35 carries roughly 200,000 cars through the county each day.
The Travis County Commissioners Court's resolution recommends that TxDOT, the city of Austin, Travis, Williamson and Hays counties, the Mobility 35 Capital Area program and the public should work together to identify strategies to improve the roadway.
The resolution also suggests that TxDOT look at short- and long-term alternatives such as managed toll lanes.
The court discussed the topics of truck traffic and how SH 130 could help I-35 prior to approving the resolution.
City rezones lots for new condominiums
Austin City Council approved rezoning 6.11 acres at the southeast corner of West Gate Boulevard and Davis Lane on Oct. 3 to allow for the development of new condominiums. The site's owner is proposing 34 units off of Davis Lane.
At the same meeting, City Council also approved rezoning 2312 Lynnbrook Drive.
City staff recommended the change, reasoning that condos would serve as a transition between Bauerle Ranch's single-family homes and businesses to the east and would diversify housing options. The lot's owner, X-Six Properties LCC, has proposed building 27 condominium units on 3.87 acres.
Sunset Valley plans property purchase
Sunset Valley City Council approved a motion related to the purchase of 3617 Country White Lane in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The city plans to purchase the property for $1 million using green tax funds used for watershed protection.
"The reason this property is of interest is because there is a recharge zone directly behind this property," Mayor Pro Tem Rudi Rosengarten said.
The city will pay for a survey and do inspections on the property.
"[The vote] is only for us to move to the next step to get an appraisal on the property," Councilman Jeff Burdett said Oct. 8.
