CVS/pharmacy, retail and possible hotel projected for 7.7-acre tract off RR 620
The city of Austin Zoning and Platting Commission cleared the way for a fourth commercial establishment to join an intersection already occupied by Walgreens, Texaco and Bank of America.
On Jan. 7, the commission granted approval of the Hill Country Roadway site plan proposed by GDF Realty Ltd. The plan includes variances and the construction of a hotel and retail buildings at 7300 N. RR 620 at Bullick Hollow Road in Austin.
GDF Realty owner James George said a CVS/pharmacy will occupy about 2.5 acres of the front portion of the total 7.7-acre Four Points–area property. A boarded-up convenience store currently sits on the portion of the site fronting RR 620.
Although the tract could be used for a four-story, 65,800-square-foot hotel, George said his company has not had any commercial entity commit to the back section of the property. He said he has had interest in the development for uses such as emergency clinics and restaurants in addition to a hotel, but only CVS has said it would occupy the site once the site plan was approved.
"We haven't had anything we could actually sell because we didn't have the permits," George said. "The back part [of the property] could be a destination location."
He said the tract will have driveways on busy roads—Bullick Hollow Road and RR 620—and he has fielded concerns about increased traffic from the build.
"A CVS won't generate any more traffic," George said. "The site is invaluable for a CVS since people are passing that location already."
CVS is scheduled to begin construction on the 11,000-square-foot store in February with a late summer opening, spokesman Mike D'Angelis said. A double lane drive-thru is planned for the project, he said.
The site plan allows for a maximum tract building coverage of 75 percent and impervious cover area of 90 percent.
George said he did not originally set out to purchase the parcel, but was given a share of the tract as payment for legal fees.
"The [commercial build will] provide some needed services and will be convenient for those going to Lake Travis," he said.
Local duo buys corner 7-Eleven
Glenlake resident Adam Weedman and River Place resident James Goldsworth purchased a new 7-Eleven franchise at the southwest corner of RR 620 and RR 2222. The store, formerly a Speedy Stop, was bought by 7-Eleven Inc. last year and remodeled before Weedman and Goldsworth took over Dec. 30, Weedman said.
Under its new ownership, the Four Points 7-Eleven now features fresh pizza, rotisserie chicken, fajitas, craft beer and a coffee bar, he said.
"It's kind of nice to see people in here every day that you know," Weedman said.
Neighborhood concerns
The commercial development abuts RR 620 at RR 2222/Bullick Hollow Road, an intersection that operates at a level of service designated by the Texas Department of Transportation as "F," or most congested, during peak travel times, TxDOT spokeswoman Kelli Reyna said.
The Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association said it is focusing on addressing issues relevant to the Four Points community, including traffic and safety.
"As our area matures, it underscores the need for significant traffic improvement," SRNA Chairman Brian Thompto said. "We need the city of Austin to make investment in our roadways a priority and support the development they've approved."
