City Council News - March 2009

City Council News - March 2009

By Robert Bell and Kara Vaught Friday, 20 March 2009

Cedar Park

Apartment ire

The applicants for two apartment projects withdrew proposals after criticism from residents who live in a subdivision adjacent to those sites. Residents of the Red Oaks subdivision expressed their disapproval of zoning changes that would have allowed tracts near their neighborhood to be used for apartments. They told council that apartments would lower their property values, increase traffic in the area and negatively affect the quality of city services and education for their children.

Cedar Park Center update

Council heard a report from Rick McLaughlin, general manager of the Texas Stars, which will begin playing hockey at the Cedar Park Center this fall. McLaughlin told council members that season ticket sales were going well, with more than 700 sold as of early February.

Corporate sponsorships are moving forward as well, despite the tough economic climate, McLaughlin said. He named several sponsors, including Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dell Inc. and State Farm Insurance.

Hicks Sports Marketing, which is partnering with the city on the project, is in negotiations with Ticketmaster to provide ticketing services and Aramark to handle concessions. Hicks aims to bring in 125 events the first year the center is open.

CPC retail deadline extended

The city council voted to extend the deadline with Hicks Sports Marketing for development of retail space at the Cedar Park Center. Hicks cited difficulties in the economic and retail climate.

“We don’t want to rush into anything that wouldn’t be good for the city,” said Stephen Thomas, Place 5 councilman.

Leander

Pay the mayor

During citizens’ comments, local landowner Joseph Greene asked the council to consider finding a place in the budget to pay the next mayor a salary.

“I believe it would be beneficial if the next mayor could have this as a full-time job and focus all his attention on it,” Greene said.

TOD zoning

Council members approved an amendment to the transit-oriented development’s Transect Map and Pedestrian Sheds Illustration that will allow for a multistory building and vertical parking structure. Pix Howell, urban design officer, said the change will accommodate plans submitted by Capital Metro and Leander Transit Interests to develop the land around the Park & Ride and Leander Station rail stop.

Industrial zoning change denied

Council denied a request to change the zoning for properties on Leander Drive. The changes would have increased the amount of equipment that could be stored on the properties and raised the height restrictions.

Residents and representatives from businesses in the area told council that the changes would result in heavy equipment moving slowly along the street, which could cause backups and delays, and would cause the street to be unsightly.

The property owner seeking the changes said if the residents and business owners were concerned about industrial equipment, they should not have purchased property in an area that was zoned industrial.

Art tabled

Nominations for Leander’s public arts committee were tabled for a month to allow council members to locate nominees.

Gravel parking OK

The council withdrew changes it made last summer to Ordinance No. 08-009-00 regulating vehicle parking. Numerous citizens complained they had been ticketed for parking in front of their homes on unpaved drives. The council plans to re-evaluate the parking ordinance.