In a significant step toward fostering business development in Leander, the City Council approved a temporary ordinance on December 5 that allows the Executive Director of Development Services to grant exceptions to the Roadway Adequacy Payment (RAP) requirements. This ordinance aims to streamline processes for developers while maintaining a focus on infrastructure improvements.  According to Mayor DeLisle, “Leander is dedicated to encouraging a healthy business environment. When we recognized our development fees weren’t aligning with their original intent, we worked with the business community to make immediate adjustments, allowing the staff flexibility to modify fees when needed.  We’re now reviewing these fees and will revise them in January to ensure they are right-sized for all projects.”

The Roadway Adequacy Standards Ordinance was originally established to address substandard roadways in Leander. At the subdivision and site development stages, city staff evaluates adjacent roadways to determine if they meet the standards outlined in the Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Roads considered substandard may lack curbs, gutters, or sufficient width, or may not align with the TMP’s vision for traffic accommodation. Developers are typically required to improve these roadways or, in certain cases, provide a RAP—a payment that contributes to future road enhancements.

For example, if the TMP anticipates a 26-foot-wide road and the existing pavement is only 20 feet wide, the developer is responsible for half of the necessary improvements—in this case, three feet. In some situations, making an immediate improvement isn’t feasible, so developers instead provide a RAP, which is deposited into an escrow account for future use by the city to fund roadway upgrades.

In addition to the RAP, Leander adopted Roadway Impact Fees (RIF) in 2022, which will begin collection on January 7, 2024. These fees are assessed at the building permit stage based on the anticipated vehicle trips a development will generate. Using a fee calculator, the RIF ensures that developers contribute their fair share to infrastructure improvements. It’s important to note that while the temporary ordinance impacts RAP requirements, the RIF remains in effect.

To address concerns raised by the development community regarding the complexities of these fees, the City Council has scheduled a workshop for January 16. The goal of the workshop is to clarify the differences between the RAP and RIF, as well as streamline the fee collection process for developers and staff alike.

“When dealing with changes to this type of fee, we have to carefully consider the impact on both the development community and our citizens,” Robin Griffin stated. “The intent of the RAP and RIF is to ensure developers contribute to the infrastructure improvements necessitated by their projects. However, we recognize the current process can be complicated, and we’re committed to finding a more efficient approach.”

The temporary ordinance provides the city with flexibility to work on updates that align with the intent of the RIF study and the overarching goals of the City Council. By granting exceptions to the RAP in the short term, Leander aims to create a more business-friendly environment while continuing to prioritize infrastructure needs.

This initiative highlights Leander’s dedication to building a thriving community that supports both growth and quality of life. With ongoing efforts to improve processes and communication, the city is poised to attract new businesses and maintain its reputation as a dynamic place to live, work, and invest.