Published June 30, 2023

Battle Raging Over Long-Planned Lakeside Subdivision West Of Austin

Written by Chris Anderson

Battle Raging Over Long-Planned Lakeside Subdivision West Of Austin header image.

A 242-acre residential project in a lakeside enclave west of Austin is headed toward the starting line two decades after plans for the site were first approved.

That’s sparked intense pushback from neighbors who feel there will be adverse effects to the small city of Lago Vista.

In 2007, Dallas-based developers unveiled what was billed as a $300 million resort-style community in Lago Vista, alongside Lake Travis. It was slated to have 700 homes, along with a dry stack marina with concierge service and a restaurant and small general store, based on a planned development district approved years prior. But then land remained undeveloped.

Las Vegas-based Turnback Development LLC in 2008 purchased the site along farm to Market Road 1431. Leaders at the company are now eager to capitalize on their investment – since September, they have been trying to update the planned development district approved by Lago Vista City Council in 2003. The current iteration of their plans calls for at least 400 homes, a clubhouse and amenity center and 120 acres of open space that would include the city’s first Lakeside public park.

What’s being proposed is much more specific than the broad plan approved years ago, said Andrew Trietly, project manager for Colorado-based Ventana capital Inc., which is representing the ownership group.

“As the Austin area continues to grow and diversify and it’s employment and migration patterns continue to shift, it feels like it’s the right time for this community to deliver high quality housing in this location,” Trietly said. “The city of Lago Vista is a Lakeside community that has no access to its own lake. All waterfront access is currently owned by private parties. We would like to offer the city of Lago Vista its first Waterfront public park.”

This article originally appeared in the Austin Business Journal. To read the full article, click here.