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If you didn't want to see Randalls come to Steiner Ranch, then you aren't going to like the latest news (for the record, I don't mind Randalls and the rest of Quinlan Crossings, but this new development doesn't sound good to me at all).  Developer Taylor Woodrow Communities is currently moving forward with plans to bring more apartments and a climate controlled storage unit facility to Steiner Ranch. 

They are currently working on the site plan for the apartments which will be located along the north side of Steiner Ranch Blvd between the Steiner Ranch Steakhouse and the Monterone Apartments.  I'm not exactly sure of the precise location, but it is referred to as MU-13 (multi-use, tract 13).  This tract of land is somewhere between 56 and 60 acres.  Of that, 35 to 38 acres are set aside as conservation land so the apartments will be on the remainder.  I have no further information at this time.  **Update** Also appears that there is an apartment plan for the same area as the storage unit.  Not sure if this makes to apartment proposals or just one.  Total number of apartments we are hearing about is 300 (which would be zoned to Steiner Ranch Elementary School).

Taylor Woodrow has a contract pending to bring a climate controlled storage unit facility to the southeast corner of Quinlan Park Road and RM 620 (across Quinlan from Quinlan Crossings).  In addition, it sounds like there will be other commercial in that area that has yet to be announced.  This tract of land is just over 81 acres.  Of that, approximately 40 acres is conservation land.  The other 40 acres includes a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) and some LCRA easements (I presume for the power lines).  There are trails that go through this area.  According to the developer, these trails will be permanently closed.

I was alerted to all of this by a blurb in the Four Points News which mentioned that Taylor Woodrow was seeking a variance to build a road across the CWQZ.  A video recording of the proceedings at the Austin Environmental Board is available at http://austintx.swagit.com/play/10052011-1306 (click on item 5B).  A public hearing is set for October 18 at City Hall at 6:00pm.

Personally, I'm not opposed to developing these areas.  Since the beginning of Steiner Ranch, these areas have been set aside for development and no one who lives here should be surprised that it is finally happening.  I would just like to see something other than apartments and storage facilities.  Feel free to comment below.

Click here for the list of homes currently for sale in Steiner Ranch.  Click here to view my list of homes that will soon be on the market, including two in Steiner Ranch.