Georgetown City Council members supported changes to the unified development code that will simplify landscaping requirements for developers of commercial properties, while ensuring adequate tree shade on public streets.

What it means: The code update will create a flat rate of depth for commercial landscaping, setting a fixed measurement for how wide a landscaping strip must be along the edge of a street.

The flat rate will simplify how developers determine the landscaping requirements for their property, and allow for more relevant uses based on their street type and zoning, Planning Manager Ryan Clark said at a May 12 City Council workshop.

A closer look: The proposed change will require a 25-foot landscape depth, with one shade tree planted roughly every 50 feet, for major roads and highways, such as I-35 or Hwy. 29.

For local streets and neighborhood roads, there will be scalable requirements from 0 to 15 feet depending on the zone. Industrial warehouses or other large developments would have stricter landscaping requirements than a small business, Clark said.

Franchisees Mike and Arianna Marques are preparing to open a Batteries Plus location off Austin Avenue in Georgetown.

The overview: At a May 12 Georgetown Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Mike Marques said the store will carry "every battery known to mankind," including watch and car batteries.

Batteries Plus locations also offer phone and device repair, lighting options, home systems and key fob programming.

• 900 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 127, Georgetown

Georgetown has several ongoing transportation projects managed by Williamson County, such as the Ronald Reagan Boulevard widening, with more planned.

Ronald Reagan Boulevard widening (Segment B)

• Project: This project includes building a two-lane southbound roadway from Hwy. 29 to FM 3405 and transitioning the existing road to become northbound only.
• Update: Chasco Constructors began work on the project in 2024 and anticipates completion in late 2027. Crews are placing asphalt and conducting lime treatment, according to the April 22 update.

• Project: This project will construct a series of entrance and exit ramps at the intersection of Hwy. 195 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard, including entry and exit ramps from northbound Hwy. 195 to Ronald Reagan Boulevard, and southbound Ronald Reagan exit and entrance ramps to and from Hwy. 195.
• Update: Construction on the first northbound exit ramp began in summer 2025 and is anticipated to be completed in summer 2026. The engineer for the remaining three ramps completed schematic designs in March 2026.