Two Central Texas cities file lawsuit to stop development near residential neighborhood

  

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two Central Texas cities are joining forces to put an end to a development near residential neighborhoods.

The cities of Lakeway and Bee Cave are filing a lawsuit to stop the construction of a distribution center. It is near the intersection of Highway 71 and Serene Hills Drive.

Leaders with Bee Cave City Council told KXAN the property is actually in Bee Cave’s extra-territorial jurisdiction, despite the proximity to the city of Lakeway.

Online plans show the property would have three buildings with 80 docking bays that could hold big rigs, warehouse space and offices.

KXAN received drone footage of the site from Real Estate Broker Ed Neuhaus.

But officials want to stop the project.

The injunction

On Monday, the Bee Cave City Council voted to file a lawsuit blocking the development of the KBC Service Center Distribution Facility.

Lakeway City Council voted to join the lawsuit on that same day.

“Lakeway City Council recently voted (5-0) in favor of authorizing the city attorney to intervene in litigation with Bee Cave regarding the West Austin Business Park. We also had more than 30 residents come out to speak on this topic at the most recent city council meeting earlier this week, all in support of the city taking this action. At this time, we don’t have any specifics on the next steps in this process, but our city attorney is currently exploring our options.”

The City of Lakeway

At the meeting, dozens of people voiced their support to intervene. Among those in the line was Nicole Cox. Cox lives in a neighborhood near the site.

“It’s like the walls came up overnight. We saw the cranes coming up. We had no word of any other plans that were going on there.”

Nicole Cox, neighbor

She isn’t against distribution companies. Cox actually works at one. However, she said they don’t belong near a residential area.

“Light pollution in addition to the noise pollution and air pollution in that area,” Cox said.

Cox said there are plans to build a new high school in that area. Her biggest concern is the increased traffic with the potential distribution site.

“Highway 71 is already very dangerous, very congested, and adding an 80 bay distribution center and all the trucks, that’s just going to exasperate the issue,” Cox said. “More dangerous for residents, for students, for commuters going through there.”

Ultimately, Cox hopes the project doesn’t go through and the neighborhood can put this behind them.

But she’d also like to look at other ETJ agreements to have peace of mind something like this won’t happen again.

“Really look at those and how do they get transferred and communicated, and who’s responsible for that communication?” Cox said.

Erica Pauda contributed to this report