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PFLUGERVILLE
PFLAG - 2001-2002 Pertinent Articles
The following stories are a sampling of what
impacted Pflugerville neighborhoods during 2001-2002 (see other Resource pages for
specific articles related to those organizations):
(7/4/02) City Moving Forward with $39
million Water Project -- With an eye towards continued explosive growth in the next 20
years, the Pflugerville city council is moving forward with a $39 million water project
that is expected to satisfy the city's needs through 2025. The project is expected to come
on line by summer 2005. While much of the cost for the Colorado River Water Supply Project
will come from impact fees paid by developers, Pflugerville residents can expect a
doubling of water rates over the next two years in order to pay for the formidable
undertaking. Water rates were doubled earlier this year and will go up 20 percent each
year for the next three years.
(7/4/02) Road Construction Should End by
Holidays -- Commuters will have to put up with construction on Farm-to-Market Road
1825 at least until Thanksgiving and maybe as late as Christmas. The $3.7 million widening
project was started in September 2000 and was supposed to be complete by the end of May.
The original 14 months allowed for the project was extended six months because of utility
delays. The contractor has already been assessed $21,000 in liquidated damages. That
figure could reach $120,000 before all is said and done. Traffic will be switched on east
side at the end of July and switched back in September. The bridge should be completed by
mid-October and the entire project should be finished by November.
(6/20/02) Getting
Bigger: Proposed Annexation Would Add 9,000 Residents to City -- The Pflugerville City
Council is considering an annexation plan that would increase the population by 50
percent. The area being considered includes 9,340 residents in Cambridge Heights,
Heatherwilde, Hillside Springs, Northpark, Pflugerville Northwest, Picadilly, Springbrook
Centre, Watson Park, and Windermere subdivisions. The study was prompted after residents
in the area expressed interest in becoming part of the city.
Cathy Caballero, president of Springbrook Centre Homeowners Association, asked council to
consider the annexation during a meeting last year. Caballero said she and other residents
would like to be included in the city for several reasons, including police protection and
zoning control. "There is a lot of vacant property for sale around us that could be
developed into anything," she said. "Some of the residents have mixed feelings
about it. I think part of it is they don't fully understand what's involved, she said.
But to take full advantage of the property acquisition, city officials were advised to
move swiftly. Should the council want to move forward, consultant Jim Ray recommended the
city work to complete the process before Jan. 1. On that day new laws take effect that
would add time and expense to the annexation process. Ray estimates the city would collect
an estimated $1.5 million in additional revenue from the area, while incurring $2.5
million in expenses for the first year. A majority of the money would come from property
taxes. About half the area is developed. Beyond that, estimates call for the city to
profit each year after that, taking in an estimated $11 million in 10 years.
The annexation makes sense from a fiscal standpoint, according to Ray, because the city
will not realize expenses in three areas that traditionally are expensive. Water and
wastewater services would be handled by private providers already serving the area. Fire
and emergency medical services protection would continue to be handled by Travis County
Emergency Services District No. 2. The city, however, would have to supply police
personnel, road and parks maintenance and related services. Utilities, including gas and
electric services would remain the same.
"The most significant costs to the city, and resulting increased services to the
residents of the annexation study area, will be for police services and for capital
improvements such as street improvements, drainage facilities and parks development,"
Ray said in the study. He estimates 16 additional police officers with an estimated annual
payroll of $795,360 would be needed. The figure includes benefits and takes into account
hiring officers with various levels of experience. An additional eight police cars at an
average of $31,000 also would be needed.
Other highlighted expenses include: $271,401 to maintain an additional 18 acres of
parkland; $56,745 for two additional Public Works laborers; $320,000 in street repairs
spread over four years; and, $138,000 in signage to be replaced over four years.
No formal action was taken on the annexation proposal. The city is required to host public
hearings before a council decision is made.
(6/20/02) PCDC Survey Shows Frontage
Roads Critical to Economic Development -- Depending on what kind of town you want to
be, a new stretch of highway can be a blessing or a curse. An informal survey conducted by
the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation board member Mike Callahan revealed
that towns who local governmental bodies work together lobby for and capitalize upon
frontage roads are the ones that make the most economic progress. PCDC members learned
earlier this year the Texas Department of Transportation has no plans to build frontage
roads along a stretch of Teas 130 that will pass through Pflugerville. The good news for
Pflugerville is that TxDOT has softened their policy on frontage roads and have sketched
them onto the preliminary map for Texas 130, City manager Steve Jones said. The board
members expressed skepticism that TxDOT would keep the frontage roads without a price and
indicated that they would continue to be wary in their negotiations with the state
department.
(6/13/02) Council Makes it Clear Economic
Development is a Priority -- Land use issues took a large part of the Pflugerville
City Council meeting on May 28. One developer withdrew his proposal for multi-family
apartments after he sensed the council did not favor such a project. "That's where we
want commercial development," Mayor Scott Winton [said]. City Councilman Pat McCord
said the city had "pro-actively zoned the area as business because we wanted to send
a message that's where we want it." "We're stressing economic development,"
Councilman Wendell Holloman said. "We've lost some prime lots in the past."
(6/6/02) Two City Groups Eye Master Plan
-- A new master plan for burgeoning Pflugerville seems certain after a May 23 joint work
session of the City Council, the Economic Development Corporation and the Planning and
Zoning Department. Sooner rather than later was the tone of the session facilitated by
Planning Director Clyde von Rosenberg and Assistant City Manager Charles Simon.
"Every day that goes by we lose more control," said City Councilman David
Seeker. The new master plan would designate land uses and special city districts in an
effort to mold the way Pflugerville will look in 15-20 years.
In the recent past, residential developers in particular have dominated Pflugerville's
open spaces and many city officials have become concerned about whether the city's
infrastructure can support the unchecked residential sprawl. Mayor Scott Winton said the
city could no longer afford to give into people anymore who want to buck the land use
plan. "We need to change our perception about what kind of tool this can be,"
Winton said.
A new master plan would address interrelated issues such as land use, transportation,
utilities, parks, neighborhoods, housing, historical resources, economic development and
urban design. Von Rosenberg encouraged city officials to formulate a clear process for the
creation and implementation of the plan, and to get the citizens involved as much as
possible. The group agreed to being drafting maps with different land use scenarios for
the public to review and a two-day retreat was scheduled for June 21-22.
(6/6/02) Meals on Wheels Has New Site in
City -- Meals on Wheels and More is adding a new pick-up in Pflugerville, bringing the
total number of pick-up sites to 15, including the organization's Central Kitchen in east
Austin. The new site, at Heatherwilde Park Retirement Apartments, will initially serve 47
clients on eight routes. The delivery area, bounded by Howard Lane, Pflugerville Loop,
Burnet Road and FM 685, will benefit from this additional location. The Heatherwilde Park
location is expected to be in operation by mid-June.
(6/6/02) Water Rationing May Not Be
Necessary -- Despite a lack of rain and expected long hot summer, Pflugerville
residents will probably not see mandatory water conservation measurers this year. City
Manager Steve Jones told the city council, at a May 28 workshop session, that he would not
recommend the use of the city's water conservation policy because such measurers do not
work. The availability of water from Austin will alleviate the need to implement the water
conservation measurers, Jones said. These measures moreover, do not have a significant
impact, the city manager said. Only six residents have taken advantage of [Drop by Drop]
program over the last two years, said Pflugerville Utility Director Joey Miller.
(5/30/02) City Urging Residents to
Voluntarily Conserve Water -- On the heels of a National Weather Service forecast of a
dry summer, City of Pflugerville officials are asking residents to voluntarily conserve
water. Current conditions for Pflugerville and central Texas are abnormally dry. City of
Pflugerville water customers are asked to follow the voluntary once every five days
watering schedule, irrigating their lawns before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. When watering,
customers are asked to soak lawns with three-quarters to one-inch of water. The Drop by
Drop Landscape Rebate Program was established by the city to promote water conservation
through xeriscape landscaping. Rebates range from $50 to $400.
(4/18/02) Road, Sidewalk Projects
Complete -- The Old Hutto Road/Split Oak Drive realignment has been opened ahead of
the contract completion date of May 2 and is $50,956.50 under budget, according to city
officials. The Texas Department of Transportation has plans to install a traffic signal at
FM685 and Split Oak Drive, but city officials do not have an exact date for construction
of the signal. The Railroad Avenue sidewalks from Main Street to Gilleland Creek Bridge
are nearly complete; the pedestrian bridge for the creek has been ordered and will be
installed in June. The Pfenning Lane/Black Locust Drive project is schedule for completion
in May. The Engineering Department's upcoming projects include construction of a left turn
lane at Pfenning Lane and FM685, widening Pecan Street East from FM685 to Immanuel Road
and widening Heatherwilde Boulevard from Settlers Valley Drive to Wells Branch Parkway.
For more information on capital improvement projects, contact Project Coordinator, Gina
Fechter at 251-2074.
(4/18/02) City Sees Jump In Sales Tax
Revenue -- According to Texas Comptroller, the city collected $101,493 in February, an
increase of 47 percent over the previous year. The figure includes proceeds generated by
an additional half-cent economic development sales tax that went into effect Jan. 1. So
far in 2002 the city has collected $407,883, a 28 percent increase over the same period in
2001.
(4/11/02) Bond Committee Appointments on
Hold -- For the second time in as many meetings, the Pflugerville City Council has
decided to delay action on proposed formation of a bond committee. In February, Mayor
Scott Winton raised the idea of a citizen bond committee to study what types of projects
needed to be done. The matter was tabled at the council's March 12 meeting and again March
26. "I would like to table this until somebody comes in and gives us a reason for a
bond committee," said Councilman Ron Beyer.
Part of Beyer's hesitation may stem from the fact the city sold $18 million in bonds
earlier this year. Proceeds will be used to fund a portion of a $40 million long-term
water project and road projects. The sale, city officials have said, will result in a 4
cent property tax increase in the coming fiscal year.
Winton has said the city has a host of road projects, the potential expansion of the
city's downtown and parks projects that need attention. He has not, however, discussed any
specifics publically. Council agreed to table the item until after its budget retreat this
summer.
(3/7/02) City Mulling Another Bond Sale
-- Just a few weeks after approving an $18 million bond issue that will result in a
property tax increase, Pflugerville City Council is considering a second sale. Winton
suggested council appoint a bond committee to gather input from the public to create a
project wish list. While no specifics were discussed, Winton said he'd heard complaints
about the size of the city's Parks and Recreation Center, which opened two years ago and
parking at the facility, parks and road improvements. These issues could be addressed with
bond funds. Council Ron Beyer said the city also needed to examine and address long-term
infrastructure needs. Each councilman is expected to present potential bond committee
nominees at the March 12 meeting.
(3/7/02) City Appoints Board Members
-- Council appointed five members to the recently created Personnel Appeals board. The
board was created by city charter amendments approved by voters in 2001. Kenneth Cargill,
Emmett Eary, Kenneth Kregory, David McKay, and Starlet Sattler will serve three-year
terms. The board meets as needed and three members will participate in personnel appeals
hearings.
(3/7/02) City Making Progress on
Long-term Water Supply Project: Permitting Process Could be Lengthy -- City Council
authorized City Manager Steve Jones to begin negotiations with HDR Engineering, the firm
charged with obtaining federal and state surface water permits for the city's $40 million
project. The proposed water project includes the creation of a 170-acre lake to be located
approximately 2.5 miles east of Pflugerville near Pfluger and Weiss Lanes. Also during the
meeting, Jones was directed to begin working with HDR on a new alignment for Pfluger Lane.
A land development with the owners of a nearby tract requires the new road to be in place
by Dec. 31, 2004.
(3/7/02) City of Pflugerville Eyes More
Road Improvement Projects -- The City...announced plans for extending and widening
Pflugerville Loop/Pfluger Lane--project limits are FM 685 on the east and Greenlawn
Boulevard on the west. The project is undertaken to improve the City's infrastructure. The
road is planned to be a major arterial, according to the City's Thoroughfare plan. The
proposed design will be a 3.8 mile, four-lane divided roadway. The boulevard section will
include left turn lanes at all existing and proposed street intersections. A six-foot ADA
pedestrian sidewalk will extend the length of the project on either side of the road.
Earlier this year, the City announced...the following road improvement projects:
Pflugerville Loop/Pfluger Lane from FM 685 to Grand Avenue Parkway; Grand Avenue Parkway
(from Pflugerville Loop to the City Limits); [and] Wells Branch Parkway (from Heatherwilde
Boulevard to Immanuel Road).
(3/7/02) Council Wants to Study Downtown:
Cost Goals Still Being Debated -- A request by Mayor Scott Winton to spend $20,000 to
study the city's downtown area was met with a cool response during the February 26 City
Council meeting. Winton wants the money to fund a three-day workshop that would examine
everything from the number of parking spaces to property values and possible expansion and
improvements. One area of particular interest is the former cotton gin site and the area
known as the old railroad right-of-way located west of Railroad Avenue.
(2/21/02) Filing Period Open in City,
PISD Elections -- The filing period for the PISD Board Place 6 seat occupied by Elaine
Boozer and the Place 7 seat held by James Hamann began Feb. 18 and ends March 20. The
filing period for two seats on the Pflugerville City Council opened Tuesday. Seats held by
Pat McCord and David Seeker are subject to contest.
(2/14/02) Web Site Details SH 45 Progress
-- A web site designed to keep drivers informed on the status of the project and potential
traffic shifts is accessible at http://www.sh45info.com/.
It includes designs and maps showing planned changes and improvements.
(2/7/02) City, LCRA Secure Long-term
Water Deal -- Representatives from the City of Pflugerville last week announced that
they have agreed to an historic pact with the Lower Colorado River Authority that will
guarantee Pflugerville a secure water supply for its customers for the next 20 years. The
City also selected a site in northeast Pflugerville for a new 170 acre surface water
reservoir and water treatment plant near the intersection of Weiss Lane and Pfluger Lane,
and is moving forward on a project to get the water from the Colorado River to the City of
Pflugerville.
(2/7/02) TxDOT Lowers Speed Limit 5 mph --
TxDot is lowering the speed limit on FM 685 by five miles per hour. City Council approved
the lower limits at its Jan. 22 meeting. New signs reflecting the change are expected to
be posted soon.
(2/7/02) TxDOT Proposes $7.4 million in
Improvements to FM 685 -- A $7.4 million project that would bring improvements to FM
685 between FM 1825 and Wilke Lane. The increase in traffic volume on this roadway which
have resulted from recent development in this corridor have resulted in an increase in the
frequency of accidents on FM 685. To provide for improved traffic flow and safety, the
roadway proposed section would incorporate a raised median to separate the through travel
lanes. The urban roadway would consist of 14-foot bicycle friendly outside through travel
lanes...sidewalks in portions of the project area and a new bridge structure at Wilbarger
Creek. Median openings with left turn bays would be located at the following locations:
Applewood Drive, Split Oak Drive, Austin Hutto Road, Pfenning Lane, Pfluger Lane, Kelly
Lane, and Wilke Lane. Construction could begin in September or October.
(2/7/02) Retailers Hit Sales Tax
Milestone -- For the first time in its history, the City of Pflugerville received more
than $1 million in sales tax revenue in 2001. The head of the local chamber of commerce
said the city is poised for steady growth as people adjust to the after affects of Sept.
11 and the national recession.
(1/24/02) Summer Cited as Possible Finish
Completion Date for Pecan Street -- People who travel Pflugerville's downtown have
been expecting a smooth ride on an improved Pecan Street beginning in February. Now they
will have to wait until mid-summer before the work is complete...
(1/24/02) Old Hutto Road Street Project
Begins -- Earlier this month, construction began on the realignment of Old Hutto Road
and Split Oak Drive at FM 685. Old Hutto Road will be closed to traffic during certain
phases of construction and all traffic will be rerouted to FM 1825 and Pflugerville Road
East...The scheduled completion date is April 2002...
(1/17/02) Council, Residents Reject
Proposed Retail Project -- The Pflugerville City Council sided with residents of the
Blackhawk subdivision and voted down (3-2) a development that could have brought retail
stores to the area...Ken Cargill, who spoke on behalf of the Fairways of Blackhawk Home
Owners Association, said a recent vote indicated 80 residents were against the proposal
while two voted in favor of the changes..."We told the developers if he's not going
to work with the community then to go away," said Councilman David Seeker.
(12/20/01) Council Approves Minor Changes
to Sign Ordinance -- After several local merchants voiced complaints about making the
city's sign ordinance more restrictive, officials have decided to re-examine the issue.
The City Council was set to make sweeping changes to the ordinance, including height,
size, color, and building material restrictions. Virtually all types of banners would have
been outlawed under the proposal...
...After discussion by the council, the group voted 3-1 to make minor changes. Sign height
would be limited to 14 feet and a maximum 144 square feet. The current law allowed for
signs to be 25 feet tall and 200 square feet. Council also directed Building Official Don
Sheffield to develop new options for the sign ordinance. These recommendations are
expected to be presented to the council in February.
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The Pflugerville Pflag
Address:
PO Box 447
200 W. Main St., Suite 200
Pflugerville, TX 78691-0447
Phone:
512- 251-2220
Fax:
512-251-6221
E-mail:
news@
pflugervillepflag.com
Publisher/Editor:
Sandy Flora
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