Leander City Council on April 3 voted 6–1 to table further discussion about a proposed planned unit development in The Highlands at Crystal Falls subdivision.

The 0.94-acre site south of Winkley Elementary School at the corner of Highland Trail and Osage Drive is zoned single-family urban use. Michael Siefert, vice president of construction for The Lookout Group Inc., wrote in a Nov. 8 letter that the site will not work for housing. His company hopes to use it for a small professional or medical office, he said.

But several residents objected to rezoning and said it would make the area less attractive.

Mayor Chris Fielder said he received a petition with several hundred signatures from residents who oppose rezoning. Resident Todd Bourgeois said an office in the area would add more traffic on streets that children use to reach Winkley Elementary School.

"The last thing we need to do is put another business right in the middle of our neighborhood," Bourgeois said. "Why don't we just leave the neighborhood looking like a neighborhood?"

Siefert said The Lookout Group's PUD would add restrictions to the property. He said the company met with residents and proposes to use architecture similar to existing houses, increase landscaping requirements and limit business hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The company would pave a parking lot entrance through a joint driveway from a mailbox station on Osage Drive, Siefert said. But residents said the mail kiosk already has too much traffic.

Laura Yambrick said she and other neighbors gathered the names of 400 rezoning opponents.

"I can't tell you how congested the mailboxes are currently," Yambrick said. "I don't believe this is the right corner for it. Please leave it as [single-family urban]. That's what the residents are asking."

Siefert said he is open to any suggestions and further communications with area residents. City Planning Director Tom Yantis said some residents raised objections because they felt they had not dialogued enough with The Lookout Group.

Place 6 Councilman David Siebold motioned to deny rezoning, but the motion failed by 4–3.

Place 2 Councilwoman Kirsten Lynch motioned to approve rezoning with conditions that include adding a sidewalk or paved trail so pedestrians need not cross the business entrance, and limiting size to 5,000 square feet and building height to 26 feet.

Siebold's substitute motion to table the issue until a later meeting gained a favorable reception. All council members except Lynch voted yes.