Construction on a new 55-plus community is underway off Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Georgetown.

The neighborhood, called Sunbird Ranch, will offer 343 homes at full build-out. Developer High Point Living specializes in taking the land-lease model common among manufactured homes to more traditional single-family detached homes, said Rich Love, vice president of sales and marketing.

The big picture: Currently, there are 20 speculative homes under construction that will be finished by the end of the year. Prospective residents can either purchase one of these inventory houses or pick a site and build their own.

High Point Living dubs their homes as “semicustom.” The company offers five floor plans, two elevation options, three color palettes and four interior design packages.

How it works: Love said the land-lease model—where buyers purchase the home, but lease the land its on—lowers the barrier of entry for homeowners. 

Residents then pay a site rent fee every month that covers the cost for on-site professional management, landscaping and amenities. 

California-based Montessori School of Silicon Valley's Georgetown location, Cantera Montessori School, is celebrating its fifth anniversary.

Cantera Montessori opened on Aug. 9, 2021, offering education to children from 6 weeks to 6 years old. There are three additional locations in Santa Clara, Milpitas and Morgan Hill, California.

How it works: Montessori education is an approach to education that utilizes hands-on and self-paced learning. According to the Montessori School of Silicon Valley website, the program follows the belief that children are born with the ability to achieve their full potential and benefit from strong guidance and enrichment.

• 4400 W. Hwy. 29, Georgetown

 Catherine Totty began her role as the new Williamson County tax assessor-collector July 21, following Larry Gaddes’ resignation last month.

What happened: Williamson County commissioners swore in Totty at the July 21 Commissioners Court meeting.

Totty brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in banking, lending, financial services and operations.

“I look forward to working alongside the businesses as we continue the tradition of excellent service that the citizens of Williamson County have come to expect,” Totty said. “Together, we build on that foundation by providing professional, efficient and responsive service to every resident we have the privilege to serve.”

What’s next: Totty will fill the role until the November election.

The executive committees of the local Democratic and Republican parties will nominate a candidate to place on the November ballot. Voters will then decide on a new Williamson County tax assessor-collector who will serve a term until Dec. 31, 2028.

In case you missed it: Commissioners accepted Larry Gaddes’ resignation June 12, after nine years with the county.

A new subdivision in Leander, off-campus student housing in Austin, and a pair of oil change spots are among the five most expensive projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in the Austin metro this week.

1. 900 West 23rd: This project involves the new construction of off-campus student housing.

2. Glory Hill Subdivision ($3.5 million): Glory Hill Subdivision is a new construction project in Leander for 43 single-family lots on 15.45 acres.

3. Brushy Creek MUD Sewer Capacity Project ($1.9 million): This project involves the installation of 3,000 linear feet of 12" sewer line, crossing through an existing accessible parking space located at Brushy Creek North Park.

4. Jiffy Lube ($1.8 million): This project includes the construction of a commercial building for use as a 2,226 square-foot Jiffy Lube.

5. Valvoline ($1.4 million): A 3,447 square-foot Valvoline Instant Oil Change is planned for Austin.

A surgeon at Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin is now performing an ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release procedure, making Dr. Harrison Kay the first physician in the Austin area to offer the technology, according to a July 7 release from the practice.

The details: The procedure uses real-time ultrasound imaging to guide a device through a small incision below the wrist, releasing the ligament compressing the median nerve. It is performed under local anesthesia in an office setting for eligible patients.

The practice said patients typically return to normal activities within three to five days, compared with two to four weeks after traditional open surgery.

What's next: Individuals experiencing carpal tunnel symptoms, such as numbness, tingling or hand weakness, can schedule a consultation to determine whether the procedure is right for them.