West Lake Hills to consider updating the city’s strategic plan

West Lake Hills City Council discussed potential updates to the city’s strategic plan at a meeting on June 10.

The strategic plan was adopted in February 2025 to serve as a “policy and operational roadmap to establish priorities” and initiatives, according to city documents.

The background

The plan is separated into seven strategic priority areas, each with objectives and initiatives.

Preserve natural beauty, enhance residents’ access to naturePermit reasonable and appropriate development consistent with other goals in each area of the cityProtect and improve our residents’ quality of lifeSecure the city from fire, panic and other dangersEfficiently deliver city services appropriatelyStrengthen regional partnerships and collaborationsMaintain low property tax ratesThe details

Several additions to the initiatives outlined in the priority areas were proposed by city council members.

One recommendation included planting additional trees along sidewalks for more shade and a larger barrier between pedestrians and the road.

“Our commitment is to a natural environment,” council member Margaret Moore said. “We have to recognize modern needs to enhance through plants.”

Increasing housing options for young families and aging in place housing was also brought up as a potential initiative.

“This is where it gets really hard … it also requires education and buying those small lots,” Mayor James Vaughan said.

Vaughan also suggested the implementation of a City Council message board, similar to the system the city of Austin uses.

The online message board would allow council members to discuss issues outside of meeting times without violating the Open Meetings Act, as the messages are accessible to the public.

What’s next

Although no action was taken regarding amending or adding to the city’s strategic plan, it will continue to be a point of conversation, Vaughan said.

“I’m going to keep the strategic plan perpetually on the agenda,” Vaughan said. “It gives us an opportunity any time it’s on [the agenda] to talk about anything that’s going on.”