Round Rock City Council approved a proposed settlement with the Community Homeowners Association of Lake Forest on Nov. 20, securing the final right-of-way needed for the Gattis School Road Segment 6 expansion.

Diving in deeper: The agreement grants the city 0.65 acres of HOA-owned frontage along Gattis School Road. The $450,000 settlement covers compensation costs, including relocating the Lake Forest subdivision’s monument signs and associated landscaping. As part of the deal, the city will install two underground 4-inch conduit sleeves beneath Lake Forest Drive so the HOA can reconnect electrical and irrigation lines to its rebuilt signs.

Staff told council members the expanded roadway will run directly alongside existing backyard fences. While the city does not plan to replace those fences as part of the project, officials noted that future improvements could be considered through corridor enhancement efforts.

Council unanimously approved the settlement, clearing the final obstacle to begin construction on Segment 6, which was awarded last week.

Round Rock officials and community members celebrated the completion of the Round Rock Sports Center expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 17.

Diving in deeper: The $19 million project—approved by voters in the 2023 bond election—adds two new basketball courts, bringing the total to eight. The courts are designed for flexibility, allowing the facility to convert into 16 volleyball courts or host multiple events at once. Other upgrades include a secondary entrance, expanded championship seating, additional surface parking and a touchless Amazon retail store where visitors can purchase snacks and drinks without a cashier.

What's next: Chad McKenzie, the city’s director of sports management and tourism, said Round Rock may pursue a future expansion to add six more basketball courts, for a total of 14, and 28 volleyball courts to meet growing demand for practice space.

Here are the top Community Impact stories in the Austin area from Nov. 17-20.

1. Officials break ground on 60,000-square-foot entertainment complex in Georgetown

2. New Chipotle planned for Georgetown

3. J. Alexander’s to open first Cedar Park location next year

4. Texans again receiving full SNAP benefits, state health department says

5. Russo’s Italian Kitchen closes in Pflugerville months after reopening

6. Bastrop ranchers launch glamping stay with ATV tours, fishing and more

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is moving forward with a set of permanent rules designed to prohibit the sale of consumable THC products to anyone under 21 years old.

The overview: The proposal is similar to emergency rules adopted Sept. 23, which are currently in effect and prohibit Texas alcohol retailers from selling intoxicating THC products to minors. The state health department adopted similar emergency rules in October.

The context: The existing and proposed THC rules are the result of a September executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

Earlier this month, federal lawmakers approved a ban on most consumable THC products, which is set to take effect in November 2026. The ban is part of a federal funding package that became law Nov. 12, ending a 43-day federal government shutdown.

Next steps: Texans can weigh in on the TABC's proposed permanent rules during a Dec. 11 virtual public hearing or submit written public comments through Jan. 4.