Property usage notice drafted for homebuyers

Travis County staffers have drafted a "consumer protection notice" that would be distributed to people buying property in new subdivisions, advising them to determine whether the land is inside or outside Austin city limits.

"Depending on state law and other factors, land outside the city limits may be subject to fewer local government controls over the development and use of land than inside the city limits," a draft of the notice says. "Because of this, local governments may not be able to restrict the nature or extent of development near the lot or home nor prohibit nearby land uses that are incompatible with a residential neighborhood."

Commissioners said Tuesday they needed more time to review revisions made to the notice. "I don't think it's strong enough," Commissioner Karen Huber said.

Unlike cities, Texas counties are mostly powerless when it comes to so-called incompatible land uses. The Legislature in the past has been sparing with granting counties greater control over land use. During the current legislative session, Travis County is pushing bills that would give counties more land-use authority.

Council to weigh new bike lanes

The Austin City Council today will consider a $905,000 contract to widen and improve existing bicycle lanes on Lake Austin Boulevard.

The two concrete lanes — 7 feet wide on the north side of the road and 5 feet wide on the south side — will run about three-quarters of a mile from Exposition Boulevard to Red Bud Trail, near Tom Miller Dam. Unlike some other city bike projects, this one will not reduce the number of lanes for cars, which will remain at four. The contract with Austin Underground Inc. assumes the project will take about 8½ months. The money will come from the 2000 transportation bonds that voters approved and from federal grants, according to city documents.