Leander City Council on July 2 signed off on a planned unit development that clears the way for a 100,000‑square‑foot Life Time athletic club at 11675 Hero Way West, while also approving an interlocal agreement with Williamson County to speed up traffic work near Harmony Science Academy. Council members further backed a budget amendment that shifts nearly $4 million in higher‑than‑expected revenue into capital projects, safety upgrades and one‑time purchases. Taken together, the moves show a city hustling to keep up with rapid growth and to smooth out congestion chokepoints along the Hero Way corridor.
Life Time zoning: what the PUD allows
The council’s PUD approval allows an upscale Life Time facility featuring indoor studios, a spa, a cafe and an outdoor pool deck of roughly 45,000 square feet, along with extended operating hours. As reported by Community Impact, the PUD permits hours from 4 a.m. to midnight and amplified sound on the pool deck between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. The zoning cleared the council’s consent agenda following a first reading on June 18, and Life Time must still complete site development review and secure building permits before construction can begin.
Traffic quick fix near Harmony Science Academy
To tackle school‑hour gridlock, the council approved an interlocal agreement with Williamson County to construct a segment of the future roadway and add temporary pavement for turn bays and an extended driveway connection toward Harmony Science Academy. Per City of Leander documents, the agreement totals $329,352.63, with the project’s design budgeted at just under $70,000 and construction estimated at roughly $260,000. City staff says the temporary turn bays and signal are expected to be in place before the 2026‑27 school year and will be removed once the permanent Hero Way expansion reaches the site in a later phase of work.
Budget bump funds HVAC, stations, and safety grants
Council also approved a budget amendment directing surplus sales and franchise‑tax revenue into both recurring and one‑time needs across city departments. As reported by Community Impact, roughly $282,981 will cover recurring expenses, while about $3.7 million is set aside for one‑time capital projects, vehicle replacements, contracts and services. The council packet highlights HVAC replacement at police headquarters, improvements to fire stations, and a grant application aimed at improving safety at the Crystal Falls Parkway/US‑183 rail crossing among the planned uses.
Neighbors push for buffers as permitting proceeds
Residents used public comment to push for screening around the project, with local historian Kathy Howell requesting a rock‑wall buffer near Bagdad Cemetery. Meeting records show a Life Time representative told officials the company has spoken with the cemetery and is open to exploring buffer options. The exchange appears in the city’s meeting packet and in a video of the Planning & Zoning hearing, which first advanced the project in mid‑May. With the county’s multi‑phase Hero Way expansion already in motion, officials say the temporary improvements will bridge traffic needs until the permanent roadway work reaches the site around 2028, leaving final screening and design details to be worked out during site permitting.
