Development
BY GRANT CRAWFORD & HALEY MCLEOD
WilCo program to bene t endangered species Williamson County Commissioners Court approved Feb. 6 the enrollment of six properties in the county’s Regional Habitat Conservation Plan. The overview The RHCP is a voluntary program open to gov- ernmental entities, landowners and developers, and it involves paying certain fees to expedite the permitting process for developers. These fees are directed to the Williamson County Conservation Foundation to provide environmental services aimed at balancing the conservation of endangered species, such as the Georgetown salamander, with new development. The plan has helped streamline infrastructure projects in the county, said Josh Renner, WCCF environmental program director. Program participants are able to receive permit- ting within 60 days, compared to the two years
P ugerville to repair community water lines P ugerville City Council approved Feb. 13 a $2.1 million contract with SKE Construction LLC for water line improvements and rehabilitation in P ugerville Estates. The gist The water lines within the P ugerville Estates community—roughly 200 homes—were installed in the 1980s with nonstandard pipe material and size, Public Utility Director Brandon Pritchett told City Council. In addition, the neighborhood does not meet the national standards for re hydrant requirements. Though P ugerville Estates is outside city limits, the neighborhood is a part of the city’s water service area. Due to the large cost associated with the project for a small number of out-of-city homes, some council members voiced concerns that the city
Fiber expansion to bolster response time Williamson County Commissioners Court approved an $8 million contract Feb. 13 with Bryner Communications Services LLC for ber-optic expansion in the county to improve rst responder communication. The overview Establishing a ber-optic network across the county is meant to support real-time data sharing, allowing rst responders to arrive quicker and have the latest info they need. Looking ahead The contract indicates September is the earliest construction could begin, while the project is expected to be done in 2026. Over 140 strands of ber cables, connect- ing county buildings and partner agencies, will run along existing rights of way.
HUTTO CITY HALL
HUTTO PARKING GARAGE
JACK ALLEN'S KITCHEN
SAMOA COURT
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AZORES DR.
Parking garage on its way up in Hutto Co-Op Construction is underway on the new park- ing garage in the Hutto Co-Op District. The gist The 450-space, six-story parking garage was rst approved by Hutto City Council in May 2023, and will service the increase in tra c expected for the city’s downtown area. The garage will be tied to the new Jack Allen’s Kitchen comfort-food restaurant. Construc- tion is expected to wrap up this summer.
PFLUGERVILLE ESTATES
The Georgetown salamander is a candidate for a habitat conservation plan in Williamson County.
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COURTESY WILLIAMSON COUNTY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
should reevaluate water rates for these types of consumers and projects. However, the most recent rate study, conducted in 2023, accounted for the P ugerville Estates rehabilitation project within the existing rates being paid by water consumers, Pritchett said. Ultimately, council members voted to approve the project. “As far as I’m concerned, this is about safety— period,” Place 3 council member Kimberly Holiday said. “They need re hydrants. ... We’ve got to take care of it.”
a property owner might wait when submitting a request through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Who it’s for Other endangered species found and protected
in Williamson County include: • Black-capped vireo, song bird • Golden-cheeked warbler, song bird
• Tooth Cave ground beetle, karst invertebrate • Bone Cave harvestman, karst invertebrate
ROUND ROCK 201 University Oaks Blvd (512) 341-9066 ARBORETUM 10515 N Mopac Expressway (512) 342-6893
GEORGETOWN 1013 W University Ave (512) 868-6696 PFLUGERVILLE 19000 Limestone
Commercial Dr (512) 953-4070
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