May 2, 2023

Wayfinding and Keep Lockhart Beautiful’s TxDOT Highway Improvement Project updates, Comprehensive Plan steering committee, Planning and Zoning Commission appointment, and impact fees were discussed at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting.

Pictured left to right (front row): Mayor Pro-Tem Angie Gonzales-Sanchez, Mayor Lew White, Councilmember District 3 Kara McGregor. Pictured left to right (back row): Councilmember District 1 Juan Mendoza, Councilmember At-Large Brad Westmoreland, Councilmember District 4 Jeffry Michelson, Councilmember District 2 John Castillo.

Upcoming Meetings

May 8 – Special Session – Proposed FY 2023-2024 Budget

May 9 – Special Session – Proposed FY 2023-2024 Budget

May 16 – Regular Session

Wayfinding and TxDOT Highway Improvement Project UPDATE:

                The Parks Director provided Council an update on the wayfinding plan by providing estimates on the cost of signage construction, installation, and materials for Lockhart’s major entry ways, City buildings and parks, directional signs along arterial streets, and information for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Proposed signage design for the SH 130 north gateway

The Parks Director also presented a concept plan for Keep Lockhart Beautiful’s project focusing on the space under the U.S. 183 overpass, between Kreuz Market and City Cemetery. The project will be funded by the Governor’s Community Achievement Award (GCAA)—which TxDOT awarded to the City.

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee:

Council reviewed the Comprehensive Plan consultant’s, Freese & Nichols, recommendations on the size and membership of the citizens Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC). Council will revisit the committee make up and appointments at future meetings.

Planning and Zoning Commission Appointment:

                Councilmembers appointed Ms. Julia Haug to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Impact Fees:

                Council approved amendments to the City’s Impact Fee Ordinance, which involve increasing impact fees for water, wastewater, and roadways, as recommended by the City’s impact fee consultant, Freese & Nichols, and citizen-led Impact Fee Committee to match anticipated ten-year growth. In the case of a single-family dwelling, the total impact fees would increase from $4,558 to either $12,140 or $12,503, depending upon which roadway service area the residence is located.

An impact fee is a tool that cities can use to recoup, from property developers, some of the costs that new development places on city infrastructure. The fees are based on land use assumptions, expected population growth and corresponding capital improvements and expenditures necessary to support that growth. Without impact fees, existing and future taxpayers will shoulder the costs for new developments. Impact fee updates are conducted every five years as required by Lockhart City Ordinance and State Law. New single-family or duplex dwellings and manufactured homes on lots in subdivisions recorded prior to January 1, 1970, are exempt from impact fees.  All parcels in the Original Town of Lockhart subdivision are also exempt from impact fees.

While Lockhart’s impact fee increase is notable, the city’s new fee levels would be mid-range compared to peer cities in Central Texas. Click here for a breakdown of water/wastewater and roadway impact fee increases.

City Manager’s Report:

• Housing and Development Subcommittee UPDATE: The Subcommittee considered recommendations from Staff regarding trees in new residential and non-residential construction projects, fee increases for land use changes, along with avoiding repetition in single-family home design in new subdivisions. The Planning Department is working on the amendments regarding these concerns, which will be presented to the Committee and City Council.
• City Park Splash Pad: The City Park Splash Pad opened for the season on Tuesday, May 2. It will be open Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., and closed to the public on Mondays for maintenance.

• 2023 Sidewalk Improvements UPDATE: Construction is nearing completion of the original scope of work for the 2023 Sidewalk Improvement Project. Over 1,400 square yards of deficient sidewalks and sidewalk ramps have been replaced. The remainder of the project, which includes backfilling around the newly completed sections, is expected to be completed this week.

• Cinco de Mayo Celebration downtown: Cinco de Mayo festivities begin on Friday, May 5. It coincides with First Friday Downtown. Celebrations continue Saturday, May 6, with the Greater Caldwell County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Cinco de Mayo 5K/10K race and more live music downtown.
• Budget workshops: Workshops regarding the proposed FY 2023-2024 Budget for Council and City Staff will be held May 8 and 9.
• GBRA Budget and non-profit presentations: The GBRA’s FY 2023-2024 Budget and non-profit presentations will be included in the June 20 meeting.

ATTENTION: This is a recap of the highlights of action taken at the May 2, 2023, meeting. The complete agenda can be found by visiting: City of Lockhart, TX (lockhart-tx.org).