By KIM ESTES, Four Points News

Dr. Alina Sholar, a board certified plastic surgeon, believes beauty is more than skin deep and much can be gained by combining ancient indulgences with modern medical aesthetics. She opened Sage & Sweetgrass Wellness Spa in Steiner Ranch in August.

The native Texan recently returned to her home state from educational training and private medical practice, bringing her husband, a team of rescued dachshunds and a mission — for people to feel better about themselves.

About two years ago, Sholar noticed a need in patient service and care. “I felt there was gap between the traditional day spa and medical spas. I wanted to offer a cohesive, thorough fusion of the two,” said Sholar, who moved to Steiner Ranch in July. She and her husband, Buddy, have seven dachshunds.

Dr. Alina Sholar moved to Steiner Ranch this summer, bringing her husband, Buddy, a team of rescued dachshunds and a mission —​ for people to feel better about themselves. She opened Sage & Sweetgrass Wellness Spa several weeks ago at the Meritage building at 4500 Steiner Ranch Blvd. L-R Pepper and Presley.

A fresh idea and a new start in Texas made the timing right so she opened Sage & Sweetgrass at the Meritage building at 4500 Steiner Ranch Blvd. Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

A Lakeway city council member who also serves on the board of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is proposing a new section of toll road from RM 2222 to RM 1826 in hopes of relieving traffic congestion in western Travis County. The CAMPO board had a public hearing on the proposed project on September 8.

Joe Bain was appointed to the CAMPO board in January by Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty.

“My role on CAMPO is to come up with a regional plan that could start moving traffic around Austin,” Bain said. “Right now, this is a conceptual idea. There is no plan.”

Extending Hwy. 45 idea

Currently, the State Highway 45 toll ends at U.S. Highway 183. Bain said there is a project “on the books” to extend SH 45 from U.S. 183 to RM 2222. That project, referred to as “WC29” in the CAMPO 2040 Plan comprehensive project list, was adopted by the board earlier this year, according to Lakeway deputy city manager Chessie Zimmerman.

CAMPO’s final 2040 Plan, once approved, will be developed from projects on this list, she said.

“The description is ‘extend SH 45’ and the limits are from SH 183W to RM 2222,” Zimmerman said. “The (Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority) submitted project ‘CT07,’ which is a corridor study for RM 620 from SH 183W to RM 2222. These projects would work hand in hand; the study would identify the preferred route and capacity, and the extension project would construct it.”

The U.S. 183 to RM 2222 proposed project is being sponsored by Williamson County.

“We are proposing a planning study for that section of roadway,” said Bob Daigh, senior director of infrastructure for Williamson County. “No design or construction funding has been approved.”

Brian Thompto, chairman of the Steiner Ranch Neighborhood Association, said SRNA strongly supports the U.S. 183 to RM 2222 proposal.

“Getting a concrete proposal in place to connect 183 to 2222, that’s a priority for the entire region because that’s a huge traffic bottleneck,” Thompto said.

If that project is approved, Bain said Lakeway’s proposed roadway would be especially necessary. Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

Some Steiner Ranch residents may have recently noticed crews from the Lower Colorado River Authority working on neighborhood utility lines.

LCRA crews are working to rebuild a 14-mile transmission line that stretches from Braker Lane and North Lamar Boulevard to Mansfield Dam, according to LCRA project manager John Spencer. The $17 million project began in August and should be complete by March 2015. Spencer said it is necessary to meet growing electricity demands in Austin.

“That line, if we didn’t upgrade, is one that could overload,” Spencer said. “This one is over 50 years old.”

The transmission line crosses RM 2222 and also RM 620 just east of Steiner Ranch Boulevard, then goes southwest, crossing over Steiner Ranch Boulevard and North Quinlan Park Road, and ends at Mansfield Dam at the Marshall Ford substation.

Spencer compared the project to increasing the capacity of a two-lane road to a five-lane road. While this is a stand-alone project and the only one LCRA is currently working on, he said similar projects are occurring through the state to meet the growing population demands.

He said electricity customers should not notice any impact to their service due to the work. In addition to the work on the transmission line, the project also includes upgrades to the substations at each end of the line.

To reduce the impact on the surrounding area, he said crews are implementing standard environmental controls as well as avoiding restricted bird habitats.

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

The 78732 zip code, which includes Steiner Ranch and Comanche Trails, has been ranked the third most affluent zip code in Austin, according to a recent study by mapping company ESRI.

The company looked at factors such as average household income, net worth and home values.

According to the study, average household income in 78732 is $165,921, the average net worth is $1,306,868, the average disposable income is $125,654, and the average home value is $494,323.

The 78732 zip came in third place behind 2nd place Westlake’s 78746 and 1st place 78739 in southwest Austin where Circle C is located.

City of Austin demographer Ryan Robinson said he was a little surprised that 78746 came in behind 78739. “ESRI does solid work…(but) it just doesn’t quite seem possible with the level of incomes in Westlake,” he added.

The city’s five year demographic estimates between 2008 and 2012 show similar results. (see chart)

Continue reading →

By CASSIE MCKEE, Four Points News

The Steiner Ranch Lake Club is a popular place where Steiner residents enjoy lakeside amenities, but there is a possibility that at the end of the year, residents will no longer have access to the spot.

The Steiner Ranch Lake Club is owned by Taylor Woodrow Communities, Steiner Ranch Ltd., the partnership that developed Steiner Ranch, according to Steiner Ranch HOA Executive Director Scott Selman. Since 1998, the HOA has had a lease agreement with the owner to use the facilities at no charge, other than the cost of maintenance. The original lease term was for 10 years and has been renewed on an annual basis since that time. The current lease is set to expire on Dec. 31.

Taylor is currently working to transition the Steiner community to a homeowner-run board. Because of that, Selman said he was not sure whether or not the lease would be renewed.

“I know (the owners) are working on plans for their departure from Steiner Ranch, and that the long-term status of the Lake Club is something they are working as part of this plan, but at this time, nothing has been determined,” Selman said.

A representative with Taylor Morrison, Taylor Woodrow’s parent, did not respond to a multiple requests for comment over the past month.

The Steiner Ranch Lake Club ​has been a popular place ​for residents to enjoy Lake Austin for the past 16 years. ​Its lease is set to expire at the end of the year and owner, Taylor Woodrow Communities, Steiner Ranch Ltd.,​ has not said if it ​will renew it with the HOA.

Continue reading →