Lakeway City Council votes against mixed residential use

Despite being recommended by the city's Planning and Zoning Commission, Lakeway City Council denied developer Ross Frie's request Sept. 15 to rezone the proposed Enclave at Lakeway Oaks, 570 Rupen Drive, Lakeway, to include a mix of traditional single-family homes as well as smaller garden-style homes.

Originally staff supported the hybrid zoning change for the 5.4-acre project proposal that would include 17 lots—four exterior lots zoned for single-family homes and the remainder as smaller, zero lot line homes, said Troy Anderson, Lakeway's building and development services manager. However, the city is concerned about saving trees on the property and not encouraging higher zoning density, he said.

Councilman Dave Taylor said the mixed higher density conflicts with the city's master plan of encouraging primarily low-density neighborhoods.

"I think the Lakeway character is just a low-density residential character," Councilman Joe Bain said. "If we approve this, we're not holding to that [character], so I'm against [rezoning]."

Frie said he would need to rethink his proposal following the council's vote.