By Taylor Short
Friday, 11 November 2011
LAKE TRAVIS — The Lower Colorado River Authority banned floating habitable structures—defined as “floating homes, residential developments, resorts and hotels that could potentially create water quality and public safety concerns”—on all Highland Lakes during a Sept. 21 board meeting.
The LCRA staff went on to define the structures as those used permanently or temporarily in which people may cook, eat and use sanitary facilities.
“We worked with key stakeholders, researched what others had done under similar circumstances, and conducted interviews with government entities and other river authorities before deciding that this is what is best for the Highland Lakes from both a water quality and public safety perspective,” LCRA General Manager Becky Motal said.
Water quality issues
The action comes after LCRA staff noted that the Highland Lakes Marina Ordinance does not address floating habitable structures and that factors such as population growth and types of development considered in the area could lead to adverse water quality and safety issues in the lakes.
The Travis County commissioners permanently banned the structures May 24 following a proposed 120-home development designed to float in a Lago Vista cove.
About 35 residents urged commissioners toward the ban, citing water quality and additional costs of emergency services the structures require.
Commissioner Karen Huber, whose precinct includes Lake Travis and most of Lake Austin, clarified what the ban specifies. “We are not talking about navigable houseboats,” she said. “People may live in them from time to time. We’re talking about habitable structures that are permanently anchored.”
While LCRA staff continued to gather information about the issue, the board put a one-year moratorium on any new construction of floating habitable structures in October 2010.
Grandfather status
Floating structures built before Oct. 20, 2010, are grandfathered into the new ordinance, but cannot, however, be “modified, expanded or replaced except for maintenance and safety purposes,” according to the LCRA news release.
LCRA Spokeswoman Clara Tuma said staff continue to work on administrative aspects of the regulation and will begin visiting owners of floating structures after its November meeting on Nov. 16.
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