City Council News - November 2008 Meetings

City Council News - November 2008 Meetings

By Rob Heidrick and Terry Hanley Friday, 05 December 2008

PFLUGERVILLE

Pflugerville Development Services Director Trey Fletcher presented the city’s annual annexation plan to the council, noting that the 2005, 2006 and 2007 annexation plans have been cost effective. The city has not had to provide water and sewage lines or fire coverage in annexed areas because these services have been addressed by other entities.

The planning and zoning commission recommended that the city not amend the city’s annexation plan in 2008 to include a 2011 three-year annexation plan area. The recommendation came as a result of costly estimates for future expansion, such as water and sewer services, capital improvements, proper drainage systems, and police services. The council acted on the planning and zoning department’s recommendation and did not enact a three-year annexation plan to be effective in 2011; however, the city can still annex land for sparsely populated and rural land because of exemptions in state law.

Attorney Richard Donahue, the city’s bond counsel, explained the bond process to council members and made recommendations to council members about when to issue money for various projects. He advised the city to issue the bonds if municipal bond rates dropped to 5.4 percent in December. The city authorized Buesing to issue, at an interest rate not to exceed 6 percent, up to $11.5 million for street projects and $3 million for the expansion of the Pflugerville Community Library based on his discretion of the market and the needs of the city. The $11.5 million is a combination of tax and revenue; the $3 million is in general obligation bonds.

Road projects include extending the northern part of Heatherwilde Boulevard to Wells Branch Parkway, widening Kelly Lane, extending Pflugerville Parkway east from FM 685 to Toll 130 and extending Pflugerville Parkway west to Greenlawn Boulevard. Work on west Pflugerville Parkway is currently in progress while the other contracts have not been bid.

ROUND ROCK

Round Rock City Planner Jim Stendebach presented several options to annex a tract of land northeast of Round Rock, which would extend the city’s boundaries beyond University Boulevard a mile east of Toll 130. If the land is annexed, Round Rock would provide city services to the area and Stendebach estimates it would cost the city as much as $40 million to connect new sewer lines and extend water and wastewater services. Annexing this land would allow Round Rock to control any development near University Boulevard and Toll 130. The council, along with Stendebach, was reluctant to pursue this annexation without support from the Jonah Special Utility District, which has jurisdiction over water supply in the area under consideration.

More than 900 acres of land south of University Boulevard along CR 112 and A.W. Grimes Boulevard was annexed and zoned for mixed-use and residential properties. Stendebach said the new parcels, which are adjacent to the Austin Community College campus and Texas A&M Health Science Center facilities in development, will be a pedestrian-oriented streetscape.

The annexation plan calls for wider sidewalks, tree-lined streets and 152 acres for parkland and trails. Mixed-use zones allow for new retail businesses, hotels, banks and other facilities. As part of the project, Gulf Way will be extended to A.W. Grimes Boulevard.

Another possible annexation could incorporate the Round Rock Glenn area along Sunrise Road and Lake Drive, which is currently occupied by “low-end industrial” properties, including a feed lot. The annexation of Sunrise Road would cost the city about $178,000 in services, but it would not guarantee the right to rezone the properties for other uses.

Mayor Alan McGraw and other council members agreed to look into the Sunrise Road proposal, but not that of Lake Drive. Joe Vining, Round Rock Chamber of Commerce senior vice president of economic development, cautioned that if the city does not take action to annex this land, it could lead to an increase in “undesirable” industrial developments.

Resident Rodney Howard requested that the council consider connecting a hike and bike trail to the trails between Georgetown and Pflugerville along the MoKan corridor.

The council approved a proposed agreement between the city and Williamson County to allot $400,000 to extend Brushy Creek Trail.

The council approved a proposal to pursue $900,000 in federal transit funding for planning and development of regional transportation initiatives, including the CARTS program. The funding agreement remains in effect until September 2010.

The Round Rock Express organization announced a $3.1 million improvement project at Dell Diamond. Improvements include a new elevator near the home plate section, additional shading above the stadium seating and an expanded press box.

Food distribution company Sysco will receive a financial incentives package from the city in conjunction with the opening of its new facility. Sysco will receive abatements on property and sales taxes, and the council plans to work with Williamson County to develop similar incentives.

Annexation plans that have resulted in Pflugerville’s acquisition of 2,000 acres since 2006 will continue to fill in the city’s ETJ, which is mostly developed land between Heatherwilde Boulevard and the City of Austin.

In a Nov. 11 city council meeting, the council authorized City Manager David Buesing to issue bond money for the expansion of the Pflugerville Community Library, as well as some area road projects.

Round Rock’s northern boundary could soon expand to include more land along the south side of University Boulevard, according to plans discussed by the city council in a regular meeting Nov. 13. The council also reviewed other annexation proposals, and members agreed to pursue federal and county funding for the CARTS program and extensions of the Brushy Creek Trail.