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Leander TOD Smart Code

11-21-09
Carol Pease ABR, CDPE, CRS, SFR (512) 721-6320
Carol Pease ABR, CDPE, CRS, SFR (512) 721-6320: Real Estate Agent in Cedar Park, TX
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On the Community Impact Newspaper for Leander, there was a front page article entitled "Changes in TOD zoning to allow more flexibility in land use." Since I didn't understand what TOD meant I went to the city's website and found the following information:

What is the Transit Oriented Development (TOD)….

The TOD is the area in the northeast quadrant of the City, including “Old Town”, areas west of US 183, south of FM 2243, and going north, almost to the San Gabriel River. It is made up of “Transect Zones” that describe the levels of density and intensity (i.e. T1=rural to T3=suburban to T5 and T6=urban). The Transect Map (TOD Master plan) shows the transect districts for the TOD.
The TOD is governed by the Leander Smart Code, unlike the rest of the City which is governed by the Composite Zoning Ordinance. In the Smart Code, emphasis is placed on the location and public interface of development, i.e. "Form”, rather than the use of the property. The Smart Code is based upon New Urbanism principals designed to create traditional pedestrian-oriented communities with neighborhoods and town centers with a mix and integration of residential, commercial and retail uses. For more information or for an application & checklist, contact the Urban Design Officer.

Now maybe I'm a dummy here, but these two paragraphs talk about "Old Town" and pedestrian-oriented communities. The residents of "Old Town" were promised a walking path to the new Leander Metro Station. There are not 2 exits out of that neighborhood. There is no easy way for the residents of Old Town to get to the train station on foot. These are the very people who would have benefited the most from the service. Seems that Smart Code means that they can do what they want! I think that's pretty dumb.

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