By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Construction has begun on Tacara Steiner Ranch, a 246-unit apartment complex at 4306 Quinlan Park Road North owned and being developed by Casey Development.

The project is being built on the terraced back of the hill on the 60-acre site that is facing Lake Travis. The property lies between the Canyon Glen neighborhood and Quinlan Crossing. Next to the site is 32 acres purchased by Hill Country Bible Church.

After more than three years in the works, the project is expected to offer its first units in summer 2016. The timetable of the project is 16 months, said Darren Casey, founder and CEO of San Antonio-based Casey Development Ltd.

Construction has started at the Tacara Steiner Ranch 60-acre site although equipment was parked on Monday and Friday because it was too muddy from the rains. The timetable on the project is 16 months, said Darren Casey, the developer.

Continue reading →

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

The River Place Homeowners Association is combining forces with River Place residents living on Milky Way Drive, who started a petition drive to show their opposition to a developer’s request for a zoning change for a 40-acre tract at the end of Milky Way Drive.

“The petition received 833 signatures in just a little more than two weeks,” said Ted Gaunt, petition organizer and River Place resident who lives on Milky Way Drive. The petition has 876 supports as of Oct. 30.

“We don’t oppose development of this amazing piece of land, with views of downtown — we just want it to be fair to those that have already started homes and families here,” Gaunt said.

At the River Place Hoedown recently, (L-R) Sophie Gaunt and Chelle Warren were collecting signatures on the petition circulating to prevent a proposed dense development to be built at the end of Milky Way Drive in River Place.

Continue reading →

Varsity football player #52, Jayelen Gray (on the left), found out he has cancer about six weeks ago. Vandegrift teammates and the entire community shows their support during a carwash on Oct. 17.

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Photos by Stephanie Collins, Wendy Segina

The Vandegrift community pulled together to host a fundraising car wash recently for  Jayelen Gray, a VHS sophomore and varsity football player who is fighting cancer.

About six weeks ago, after a couple of early season games, Gray —  who wears #52 and is a Viper defensive lineman — told teammates that he has cancer. He continues to be a part of the team as much as possible since the diagnosis and comes to practices and encourages players on the sidelines. Continue reading →

 By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Leander ISD remains the 12th fastest-growing district in the state of Texas among districts with more than 20,000 students, according to Dr. Stacey Tepera of Population & Survey Analysts, who presented a demographic update to the LISD Board of Trustees on Oct. 15.

The district grew by 831 students over the past year and, as of mid-September, had a total enrollment of 37,042 students. By comparison, Austin ISD lost 833 students over the past year.

“Clearly, it’s the highest-growth district in the Austin area, followed by Hays CISD and Round Rock ISD,” Tepera said. “The district has added almost 4,900 students over the past five years. That’s significant; that’s remarkable.” Continue reading →