Georgetown council approves rezoning for 1612 Williams Drive; one council member dissents

Hayley Webber, a planner with the city’s planning department, presented the second reading of an ordinance to amend the official zoning map to rezone Lot 6, Block 2 of the Crestview Addition Unit 1, generally located at 1612 Williams Drive, from office to neighborhood commercial.

The ordinance caption read on the record identified the case as a rezone (referenced in the presentation as “20255 rezone”) and included standard severability language and an effective-date clause.

Council discussion centered on traffic and driveway access along Williams Drive. Council Member Ben said the council’s goal for the corridor is to create a “gateway road” with a limited number of driveways and said he was concerned the rezoning would increase turning movements, slow traffic and exacerbate left-turn conflicts on an unsignalized segment of Williams Drive. After that discussion the council voted on the ordinance.

The motion to approve the rezoning on second reading passed; Council Member Butler recorded a vote against the measure. The motion and second were moved on the record during the meeting.

The council then moved to the next agenda item, a PUD amendment for the Southwestern University/560 area.