Leander City Council members voted unanimously on October 15 to approve a special use permit for The 75 Oaks, a family‑run farm that provides fresh produce, pasture‑raised eggs, dairy, and hands‑on educational workshops for residents of Leander and surrounding communities.
Community backing drives decision
More than 80 community members from Leander, Liberty Hill, Georgetown and Lago Vista spoke or submitted written support for the farm, and no opponents were recorded. Volunteers and neighbors highlighted the farm’s role as a local food source, a non‑traditional classroom, and a place that strengthens community ties.
“The 75 Oaks creates a place where people can learn, work side by side and build lasting connections,” farm volunteer Ashley Wagner said. “Places like this are what make Leander feel like a true community and not just a collection of houses we happen to live in.”
Permit resolves prior code‑inspection concerns
In September 2025 a city code inspection found the farm store lacked a certificate of occupancy, prompting the owners to seek a path forward. After submitting a special use permit application in June 2026, the Leander Planning and Zoning Commission approved the request, sending it to council for final action.
Owner Leeza Tierney expressed relief, noting she had worried daily for the past year about the farm’s future. “It’s been a lot—worrying about what would happen if this didn’t exist,” she said.
What the permit allows
The special use permit lets The 75 Oaks continue operating on its 2.39‑acre parcel without major alterations such as paving a drive‑through lane or adding striped parking. The farm already manages customer pick‑ups within a 550‑foot internal circulation area, scheduling windows that keep traffic brief.
Tierney added that the farm’s operations remain consistent with the city’s zoning for single‑family urban or manufactured‑home lots, which permit small livestock like goats and sheep on properties of at least three acres. While the parcel is slightly under that threshold, the city’s special use process provided a mechanism to keep the farm open for the community.
Economic and educational impact
The 75 Oaks serves more than 250 families from 14 Central Texas communities each week and spends roughly $40,000 annually with locally owned Leander businesses. The farm’s educational programming reaches toddlers, school‑aged children, and adults, offering lessons that “feed the soul” as described by community member Cindy Hoelscher.
In addition to its farm store, the property is Leander’s only “NICE” native plant nursery, a designation from the Native Plant Society of Texas that recognizes its focus on native species suited to Texas climate and ecosystems.
Looking ahead for urban farming
Beyond this specific approval, council members discussed broader opportunities for urban agriculture. Mayor Na’Cole Thompson indicated the city is drafting an ordinance that would allow additional property owners to develop urban farms, provided they meet defined requirements.
Council also noted that Horizon Park Boulevard is likely to become a future capital‑improvements project, addressing its current poor condition.
Support from neighbors
Andy Hogue, president of the neighboring Oakridge Homeowners Association, described the farm as a “natural transition” that separates the residential area from larger commercial developments, underscoring the farm’s role as a buffer and community asset.
With the permit secured, The 75 Oaks can continue to provide fresh, locally sourced food, educational experiences, and a gathering place that reinforces Leander’s family‑focused, faith‑grounded values for years to come.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
