The applicants for the Project Blizzard development have requested that their application for zoning amendments be withdrawn.  Their application was for a proposed amendment that would allow the dividing of the PD3-5 Planning Area into two separate planning areas and transferring 186,000 square feet of Office Use entitlements from the PD 3-3 Planning Area to the PD 3-5 Planning Area.  Both Planning areas are located within the property known as the Circle T Ranch which is zoned as Planned Development #3.  Hillwood representatives indicated that they would be resubmitting a modified application in the near future.  Look for upcoming P&Z meeting notifications and agendas.

At the Dec 1 P&Z Meeting, Commissioners recommended approval of two site plans in Entrada. Yes - you may see vertical construction at that site very soon!  The site plans are for a CVS Pharmacy and a Primrose School. Both of these items will be on the Council's agenda for their Monday night workshop/meeting.

For these reasons, a rate increase is an agenda item for next week's Dec. 14 Town Council meeting. If approved, the increase would be effective Jan. 1, increasing the average resident water charge by about 18 percent. The average commercial water charge will increase by about 21 percent, with sewer charge remaining the same for both residential and commercial.

We empathize with our residents and commercial users, knowing that any increase in our rates is certainly not desired.  Sadly our community is not unlike other neighboring communities. There have been numerous news reports over the last several months about the increase in water bills by customers across the Metroplex and State. Remember one of the best ways to offset any additional cost is to be proactive in conservation efforts and native/drought tolerant landscape plantings. 

Don't forget - December is the first of thre e months of our Winter Quarterly Averaging, so you are encouraged to continue using water sparingly this month. Averages during this time will set the amount of sewer to be billed for the following 12 months.  Other ideas for lowering your water bill can be found online on our Town website under Public Utilities or at the following website:  www.savetarrantwater.com .  

Need more help in understanding how we bill for water and sewer?  Contact Public Works Director Jarrod Greenwood at  [email protected]  or call 817-490-1717.

Tomorrow, Westlake Academy is participating in yet another global collaboration event with the #HourOfCode. In many of the student's classrooms, they will be learning about a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries through Dec. 11.  Held worldwide this week, the Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics of computer programming. There are 191,017 Hour of Code events around the world, and WA is hosting one of these #HourOfCode events tomorrow after school.  Please click here to read more from the WA parent communication.

The good news is that  Hour of Code is not just for students! Anyone, anywhere can join an Hour of Code event. Tutorials are available in over 40 languages. No experience needed for ages 4 to 104! Click on these links to learn more about the Hour of Code tutorials geared towards students, as well as other FREE classes in computer science available beyond the hour.  The latter provides access to classes/tutorials from Harvard College, Columbia, and MIT!  We just couldn't pass up this opportunity to share with our residents.  Happy coding everyone!

Leaving for the holiday?

Our police department (Keller PD) provides a free vacation house watch service  for Westlake residents while they are away on vacation at least three days with a maximum travel time of 21 days.  Click here for more information. 

Having family in town? 

Let the staff of the Marriott Solana Hotel take care of your loved ones and ensure they will have a well-rested night during their stay. To reserve your room, call 1-800-MARRIOTT and ask for the $89 Westlake Resident Rate. The reservation must be made in the resident's name and a photo ID showing a Westlake address must be shown prior to check in. You can also visit  Marriott.com  and enter Corp/Promo Code "LRR" to receive the rate.

Just a reminder that our Smoking Ordinance will be effective Jan. 1. Town Council passed the ordinance back in October that prohibits smoking in parks, along our trails (including medians), and within 25 feet of all building entrances. Besides the medians and right-of-ways on Town streets, smoking will be prohibited at or under the trails' shade structures along F.M. 1938, and all trails in Westlake. This ordinance has been forwarded to our police department for enforcement.

If you have further questions or concerns about this ordinance, please don't hesitate to contact Director of Public Works Jarrod Greenwood via email or  phone at 817-490-5717.