The Westbank area has always been a unique part of central Texas. Although the area is divided into several different legal jurisdictions including the cities of West Lake Hills, Rollingwood and Austin – along with small areas of unincorporated Travis County – we all share many of the same goals and values for our community. I believe it is safe to say that we all enjoy the rolling hills, the wooded areas, and of course the many creeks and streams that make the Westbank special. A walk through the Barton Creek greenbelt or the Wild Basin nature preserve reminds us all of the important role that nature plays in our community.

The city of West Lake Hills has always had a complex relationship with those small pockets of unincorporated Travis County that are in our extra-territorial jurisdiction, or “ETJ.” Many of these areas were carved out years ago when the city first incorporated and even today the residents value their independence from the city’s rules, regulations and taxes. I completely understand and respect that sentiment.

The city has always had a strong interest in protecting our environment both within our city limits and within our ETJ. Much of this area sits on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, a topographical feature that captures most of the rainfall in the area and funnels it directly into the primary source of drinking water for a large number of central Texans. Rainfall that does not end up in the aquifer runs directly into the Colorado River, providing drinking water to hundreds of thousands of people. Since Travis County has only minimal regulations on development, the responsibility falls on the city to ensure that this sensitive area is developed in an appropriate, responsible, and environmentally friendly way.

For years, the city has regulated the subdivision of land in both the city limits and the ETJ. Our one-acre minimum lot size requirement has done much to protect the ETJ from over development. For quite some time, the West Lake Hills City Council has been discussing the idea of adopting additional development regulations in our ETJ to strengthen the environmental protections already in place. We’ve looked at a wide range of tools available to us under Texas law, including limitations on impervious cover, requirements for water runoff, tree protection and landscape preservation.

At our regular meeting on Jan. 13, the City Council took a small step toward better management of commercial development in our ETJ when it voted to enact two separate ordinances. The first ordinance requires property owners to submit a site plan for the city’s approval primarily for all construction in the ETJ except for single-family residential construction. Single-family residential construction is not affected by this ordinance in any way.

The second ordinance enacted by the City Council places a temporary, 90-day moratorium on the city’s acceptance, review or approval of any required permits in the ETJ. This moratorium is necessary to maintain the status quo and give us time to review our policies for development in the ETJ.

Over the next three months, we will be conducting a thorough review of our ETJ ordinances and policies. We’ll gather information, seek public input from those in both the city and the ETJ, consult experts, conduct a series of public hearings and consider reasonable regulations that reflect our community’s commitment to the preservation of our environment, quality of life and commerce.

I have no interest in expanding the city’s borders or encroaching on the rights of property owners in the ETJ. I am committed to pursuing only the most limited regulations necessary to preserve our shared commitment to the environment. As this process moves forward with the City Council, we will welcome your input into the process – whether you are a resident of West Lake Hills, a resident of our ETJ or a developer who is interested in building there. Together, we can protect our environment for future generations fortunate enough to live in our special little part of the world.