Officials are preparing to allow a wider range of mixed-use development and encourage more varied housing types across Austin.

The breakdown: Single- and multifamily housing in Austin has traditionally been separated from retail, office and other commercial uses. And for years, either single-family homes or large apartment complexes have made up the majority of new residential construction in the city.

City planners and some officials point to missing middle housing types, defined in the three-to-16-unit range, as options that add choices for residents beyond buying a costlier home or living in a large rental complex. City Council is now moving to create new zoning categories that'd support different kinds of missing middle construction in neighborhoods, and various larger mixed-use projects with commercial space.

That initiative is moving ahead as city officials also consider various ways to bring smaller-scale businesses into neighborhoods.

District 45 state Rep. Erin Zwiener announced a Hays County working group tasked with addressing concerns surrounding data centers, water use and the authority of cities and counties to respond to related challenges.

At a glance: The group will discuss how governing bodies can respond to data center development in Hays County and how officials may strengthen local authority through policy solutions, according to a news release from Zwiener.

The working group will receive presentations from experts in various groups pertaining to data centers. Potential speakers include experts on water, the electric grid, data centers and local control.

Zwiener’s working group was developed in partnership with Hays County commissioners Debbie Ingalsbe, Precinct 1, and Morgan Hammer, Precinct 3. Additional officials, water authority representatives, community members, nonprofit organization representatives and area experts were invited to participate.

Diving deeper: On Feb. 17, the San Marcos City Council voted to deny a Preferred Scenario Map amendment for approximately 200 acres of land that would have allowed for the development of a data center.

From a mixed-use project to a Target and more, here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. Bell District Block B in Cedar Park: Boston-based General Investment and Development is building a 194-unit mixed-use project that will feature an outdoor pool courtyard.

2. Pathways at Santa Rita Courts East in Austin: The Housing Authority of the city of Austin will construct a four-story, multi-family building that totals 77 units and renovate 11 historic single-story buildings into 27 units.

3. Target in Dripping Springs: The Village at Dripping Springs will feature the area's first Target, totaling about 147,000 square feet.

4. Cigna Healthcare in Austin: The insurance provider will add a 40,100-square-foot office to its portfolio.

5. San Marcos Self Storage in San Marcos: Seven one-story self-storage buildings, totaling approximately 83,085 square feet, will be added.

• Open fires, such as brush burning and bonfires
• Outdoor burning of trash, leaves or debris
• Campfires and fire pits in nondesignated areas