u/This-Desk-526

Hi all! This is Hamera from Community Impact. I wanted to share a quick story about some changes to city fees.

One notable change is that the city will now offer fee waivers for those seeking to apply to demolish their pool if it's been affected by alkali-silica reaction, or "concrete cancer." Those who have already demolished a pool affected by ASR can apply for reimbursement for the permit fees.

ASR affected many pools built between 2017-2023, including at least 28 in Leander. City leaders said during the city council meeting that they also spoke with state lawmakers that tried to address the issue during the last legislative session.

City staff reviewed municipal fees during the city's budget adoption process. Other changes include:

• Charging drivers who illegally pass school buses $25, regardless of whether the offense happens in a school zone or not
• Increasing jury duty pay from $6 to $10 per day
• Streamlining fire department fees

Hi all! This is Hamera from Community Impact. I wanted to share what to expect from the proposed budget + tax rate that city council will consider on Sept. 17.

Property taxes (along with sales tax) largely fund the city's proposed $84 million general fund. Since average home values have fallen, the average Leander homeowner will be paying about $102 less in property taxes to the city. Find out more through the link.

Hi! My name is Hamera and I cover Leander/Liberty Hill for Community Impact.

I wanted to share a quick story about a proposed concept for the northern area of Leander. Developers pitched plans to build 2,250 single-family units on two tracts spanning 833 acres near CR 280 during the city council's Aug. 20 meeting.

Since the presentation was intended to gauge whether the Leander City Council was interested in the project, no action was taken to approve any permits or other agreements. However, city leaders asked for more information on the transportation and water elements relating to the project.

Hi all! My name is Hamera and I cover Leander/Liberty Hill for Community Impact.

I wanted to share that the Leander City Council rejected the proposed zoning changes to the Leander Springs development last night. Dozens of residents came out to voice their opinions on the project (at some point, the fire marshal didn't allow more spectators into the main meeting room).

Regardless, community members listened in on the hearing, which began just shy of 8pm, in the meeting room and from the lobby. For over two hours, many residents voiced concern over the project's impact on groundwater, traffic and noise pollution. Meanwhile, developers and supporters highlighted the project's potential to raises sale tax revenue for Leander and bring amenities closer to the community.

At 10:45pm, the council voted unanimously to reject the proposed zoning change, meaning that the project won't be moving forward with its proposed zoning changes, including the lagoon.

Hi! My name is Hamera and I cover Leander/Liberty Hill for Community Impact. I'm working on a story about the local impact of education savings account/education freedom accounts and I'm interested in learning about the experiences of families who received a voucher. Feel free to DM me here or email me at hshabbir@communityimpact.com!

edit to clarify: I'm also open to hearing from people who were awarded a voucher, but opted not to use it!

Hi all! My name is Hamera and I cover Leander City Council for Community Impact.

I just wanted to provide a quick update on Leander Springs, a proposed 77.9-acre mixed-use development anchored by a 4-acre lagoon. The project just received its first approval to amend its planned unit development, which includes reducing planned apartments to 1,200 (down from the original 1,600) and classifying the lagoon as "non-essential."

Since Leander's P&Z Commission voted 5-1 in favor, the item is headed to Leander City Council. Posted city agendas indicate that there will be a public hearing on the item Thursday, July 2.

Hi all! My name is Hamera and I cover Leander City Council for Community Impact. Recently, Leander's Planning and Zoning Commission approved an increase in the number of children in-home daycares in residential neighborhoods can supervise (from 5 children to 6). However, the matter still needs to go before city council.

I'd love to hear from parents in Leander about their experiences navigating childcare in the area. Feel free to DM with your thoughts!