It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in West Lake Hills, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Lori and Kyle were great to work with and are super people. They matched my”
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“Owners Lori and Kyle are genuine, salt-of-the-earth folks who are super-dedicated to their clients. ”
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“Always Best Care was there for me when I needed them. I was providing hospice care for my mother in my home. I could not have done it without them. The caregivers are kind and dependable. The company was supportive in every aspect of my mother's care. I cannot thank them enough for their support during this difficult time.”
“I am so happy with Mr. Steven Coleman services. He has been very professional and helpful.”
“We had an excellent experience with Always Best Care Senior Services in Austin. They provided in home care when my mom got out of the hospital and, in parallel, helped us find an assisted living facility. I was calling them from the hospital and we didn't know when my mom would be discharged or what kind of care she would need and Always Best Care was responsive, flexible and provided guidance when we needed it most. This was a stressful time and they gave us peace of mind while providing the best care for my mom. The caregivers were on time, thoughtful and kind. I'd recommend Always Best Care to anyone trying to navigate the complexities of eldercare.”
“Highly recommend using Always Best Care for all your senior service needs! Super helpful and really takes care of patients to make them feel comfortable and safe!”
“Kyle and his team are great.”
“I am a past client of this provider My siblings and I engaged Always Best Care to help care for our mother, initially when she was still able to do a significant amount on her own. Over time she declined and needed different levels of care. At each stage, Lori, Kyle, and each member of the ABC team listened to our needs, and was warm, caring, attentive, patient, punctual, and flexible in accommodating Mom‘s abilities, needs, and wants. Caregivers often went above and beyond, and the teams’ communication with my siblings and me was terrific – – especially helpful since none of us lived in the area. I feel fortunate to have been connected with Lori and Kyle, and I highly recommend the ABC team.”
“Always best care is ALWAYS the BEST care. No pun intended. Means a lot to know my loved ones are in good hands ????”
“Kyle and his team rock ,really good communicators. I would refer them to people who would need this service”
“Always Best Care provided the perfect service we needed for our mom. Their caregivers were on time, professional, and did what mom/we asked of them and more. The owners, Lori & Kyle, listened to our needs and went above and beyond in their help and care. A few times when we had to take mom to the ER, Lori and/ or Kyle came to the house to be sure all of mom's needs were met. At the end of mom's life, their caregivers could not have been more attentive, kind, caring and professional. I would highly recommend ABC Care for your loved one.”
“Lori and Kyle were great to work with and are super people. They matched my husband up with very competent companions who were kind and dependable.”
“Lori and Kyle were great to work with and are super people. They matched my husband up with very competent companions who were kind and dependable.”
“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support for our clients, their family members and our caring team of staff .”
“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”
“Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”
“Owners Lori and Kyle are genuine, salt-of-the-earth folks who are super-dedicated to their clients. I know I can trust them to make sure our Mom gets the care and help she needs. And caregiver Leah is so very kind -- she's the best!”
“Lori & Kyle were very attentive and responded very quickly to our needs. They visited us in person to introduce the new aide, to make sure instructions were done smoothy. ABC came thru in a very critical time for us. Forever grateful for their compassion & thoughtfulness to our health needs.”
“Always Best came to the rescue when my mother needed immediate caregiver services while in a skilled nursing facility and it continues to provide steady, reliable and helpful care now that she is at home. The owners are very kind and authentic and seem to really care about the people they are helping! My mother adores her caregiver. Would highly recommend.”
“I’ve known Lori for years and have high confidence in her ability to provide care. She’s caring, intelligent, dependable and friendly. She would be an excellent service provider!”
“I had the pleasure of working with Lori Schrayer in a professional setting where she was in a leadership role. I worked with her and her team on multiple projects as a liaison to the County Manager or head of the municipal organization. Lori is consistent in her treatment of peers, communication style, and commitment to her staff. I would be fortunate to work with Lori in the future and would provide her business if given the opportunity as I know they’d be in great hands.”
“I am a current client of this provider Lori and staff - What a sanity saver and great team. From day one we have felt that Mom’s well being is their first priority. We were extremely hesitant to turn over care to someone else. But those concerns vanished immediately— thanks to the team’s communication and compassion. It’s a great comfort knowing the entire staff are there for us and responsive to our need and requests.”
“Always Best Care of Austin, TX is the only place I trust to care for my elder loved ones. It's locally owned by a the kindest couple who treat every patient and employee like part of their family. Their caregivers are compassionate and give me a sense of comfort knowing my loved ones are in good hands when I cannot be with them.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Steiner Ranch Steakhouse or visit McKinney Falls State Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in West Lake Hills, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in West Lake Hills, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in West Lake Hills, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
It’s been said that good fences make good neighbors but for Elon Musk, complaints about a too-tall fence, loud parties, crowded streets and security personnel have turned his 6,900-square-foot mansion into the central topic of discussion at Wednesday’s ...
It’s been said that good fences make good neighbors but for Elon Musk, complaints about a too-tall fence, loud parties, crowded streets and security personnel have turned his 6,900-square-foot mansion into the central topic of discussion at Wednesday’s West Lake Hills City Council meeting.
The property, valued at $6.24 million, was a focal point during a heated April 16 Zoning and Planning Commission meeting in which commissioners recommended denial of six requested variances related to violations of city ordinances.
“Building codes and ordinances are for everyone in the city, not for one person,” neighbor Paul Hemmer wrote to City Council in a complaint.
The council’s discussions have already been postponed twice, once in May and again in June, at Musk’s request, West Lake Hills City Secretary Terry Blanchard said previously.
Now, it seems the city is ready to discuss its most high-profile resident.
Musk is CEO of Tesla Inc., SpaceX and other well-known companies and, until a recent falling out, was a special advisor to President Donald Trump.
On Wednesday, city councilors will discuss four variance requests, reduced from the six previously discussed by the Zoning and Planning Commission.
The variances, which amount to exceptions to city ordinances or property codes, are related to:
Neighbors in the upscale Austin suburb are increasingly frustrated. According to complaints and letters filed with West Lake Hills, security personnel reportedly change shifts three times a day. They also say a call box at the property’s gate causes cars to back up onto the narrow public cul-de-sac, which serves at least three other properties.
Hemmer, who lives across the street from the property, is president of the neighborhood homeowners association. In a letter included in this week’s agenda, he says the home is not being used as a private residence but a “24/7/365 security office” and “operations hub” for other properties Musk owns in nearby subdivisions.
His letter, which was signed by two other neighbors, complained that the home looks like it belongs at Fort Knox, not a neighborhood. Hemmer, a retired real estate agent, told the New York Times in May that he became so frustrated that he began flying a drone over the property to look for possible city code violations. He also keeps a video camera pointed at the house 24/7. Last year, he filed complaints with West Lake Hills officials about Musk’s towering fence, increased traffic and his belief that the billionaire was running a security operation from the home.
Included in the council’s agenda documents is one letter supporting Musk’s variance requests. Lindsey and Vincent Ip stated wrote that they live 300 feet from Musk’s home but were unaware of his identity until it was reported earlier this year.
“That alone speaks volumes about how unobtrusively he has integrated into our community,” their letter says.
The Ip home does not use the same narrow public street that has been the center of many neighbors’ complaints.
Musk purchased the home in 2022 through a limited liability company named after the street where the property is located. The home sits in the middle of a residential neighborhood, positioned at the bottom of about 2 acres of sloping land off a narrow public road. Musk owns another nearby property that some have described as a “compound” for his extended family, including his children and their mothers. The $35 million estate features two large homes and a third house located nearby, including a 14,400-square-foot Tuscan-style mansion and a six-bedroom residence.
Musk built the gate and fence that surrounds his property without permits in 2022, violating the six city ordinances that became the official focal point.
Despite the Zoning and Planning Commission's recommendations, city staff is recommending that council grant the variances, saying the applicant is willing to meet conditions and change some of the fence’s features to fit within guidelines and address neighbor concerns.
Staff cited these mitigation agreements:
Whether the mansion functions primarily as a security center, as some residents claim, it is unlikely to be Musk’s primary residence. At the start of 2025, Musk reportedly spent much of his time in Washington, D.C., working with Trump. He is now said to reside primarily in a modest $50,000 home near Starbase, the site of his SpaceX launch facility.
MORE: SpaceX is building a massive South Texas facility to help Musk colonize Mars
Wednesday's meeting begins at 7 p.m. but has other items on the agenda.
The world's richest man isn't unfamiliar with raking in plenty of cash — but he's also earned the ire of some residents in his Austin-area neighborhood for some permit violations on one of his boujee Texas mansions.Backstory on the Austin suburb's housing dramaBack in April, West Lake Hills' Zoning & Planning Commission considered a slew of variance requests for Elon Musk'...
The world's richest man isn't unfamiliar with raking in plenty of cash — but he's also earned the ire of some residents in his Austin-area neighborhood for some permit violations on one of his boujee Texas mansions.
Back in April, West Lake Hills' Zoning & Planning Commission considered a slew of variance requests for Elon Musk's $6.1 million mansion, a nearly 7,000-square-foot-residence located off Stratford Reserve Place at the edge of its city limits. Tisha Ritta with Central Texas Permit Partners, LLC represented Musk before the commission, presenting six variance requests for the mansion, including one related to a 16.5-foot-tall fence around the property that exceeds the city code's limit of six-foot maximum fence heights.
Ritta told the commission those variances were necessary given his public status and need for additional privacy and security. While city staff recommended approval of the variances (with some minor conditions encouraged), commissioners unanimously voted against staff recommendations, with a recommendation to West Lake Hills City Council to deny the owner's requests. It came following testimony from several neighbors, including those living on his same cul de sac.
Paul Hemmer, Musk's neighbor, authored a letter to the commission in opposition of the request. He largely criticized the property's use as a security basepoint instead of a residence, alleging around-the-clock shift changes, employees continuously coming and going from the property at all hours and blockage of the roadway courtesy the staff coming and going on site.
"They think they own the world," Hemmer said, slamming the property as more of a fortress than a residence and said approval of these variances — done sans permit — would incentivize bad behavior and set a precedent for other code violations.
On Wednesday, July 9, West Lake Hills City Council considered the land use item, after it was delayed from an initial discussion date scheduled for council's May 14 meeting. While six variances were included in the commission's initial discussion, those were reduced to four variances up for council's consideration, or retroactive approval of property features that violate city code:
West Lake Hills City Council ultimately voted to approve all four retroactive exemptions after a lengthy, two-hour-long discussion that include a walkthrough by Racy Haddad, a real estate lawyer with Busch Blackwell LLP representing Musk. She outlined several of the "site peculiarities" that impacted development decisions on the property, including 50-foot front yard setbacks, no cut or fills permitted on the slopes, the presence of protected trees as well as both phone and electric easements on site.
Testifying before council Wednesday, Hemmer described the "nightmare this property has created" for surrounding neighbors, slamming the variances as the equivalent of "putting lipstick on a pig." He criticized Musk's decision to purchase the property, which already included the home, given that it clearly didn't meet his desires for privacy due to the slope and visibility of the home from the street.
Mayor James Vaughan thanked members of the public who came and testified, specifically thanking Hemmer for his testimony and added he hopes these conversations will cause Musk and staff on site at the home to pay attention to how their activity impedes on the surrounding roadway. Given the typical variance consideration process, Vaughan added this outcome isn't unusual when considering hardships and special conditions of a given property, and credited the applicant for coming back with a reduced number of variance requests.
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One of the richest men in the world just won a fight against a handful of his neighbors in Texas.On Wednesday evening, the West Lake Hills City Council voted to allow Elon Musk to keep most of the ...
One of the richest men in the world just won a fight against a handful of his neighbors in Texas.
On Wednesday evening, the West Lake Hills City Council voted to allow Elon Musk to keep most of the fencing and gates he has built at his home in the Austin area — as long as he makes changes to bring them into compliance with local rules.
The vote was split 3-2 on three of Musk’s requests for variance, with council members Gordon Bowman, Beth South and Darin Walker voting in favor. Dana Harmon and Brian Plunkett voted against. A fourth request was approved unanimously. Mayor James Vaughan does not vote in council meetings.
After the vote, Vaughan addressed the neighbors who showed up to oppose Musk’s requests.
“We try to do what we’re legally obligated,” Vaughan said. “For those of you who are unfamiliar with our typical process, this outcome is not that unusual.”
The decision ends a long-simmering dispute between Musk and his neighbors on the quiet cul-de-sac. The tech mogul made the changes to the home, purchased for him through an LLC in early 2022, without the required city approvals. His neighbors said cars crowded the street waiting to get into the driveway gate Musk built and that side fencing, constructed using steel and chain link, disturbed the natural beauty of the area.
In response to the concerns, Musk’s representative said he would replace, lower and beautify the fencing in some areas and replace a security keypad on the front gate with an automatic gate opener to decrease street traffic.
“We'd like to be good neighbors. We're trying to minimize the concerns that we've heard,” Racy Haddad, an Austin-based real estate attorney, told the council. “Every family deserves to have the ability to come to city council and ask for a fence.”
Musk’s name was never mentioned at the Wednesday meeting, with those gathered opting to use the word “applicant” or “homeowner.” The New York Times first broke the story about Musk’s suburban squabble in April.
Paul Hemmer lives on the street and has repeatedly spoken out against Musk’s presence there.
“All these attempted remedies are like putting lipstick on a pig,” Hemmer told the council. “I realize a VIP needs additional security. But this house, this lot, is not the one.”
“Please do not allow him to get away with this,” he added.
After the vote, Hemmer told The Texas Newsroom that he was disappointed in the decision. When asked how he would coexist with Musk as a neighbor, Hemmer said he would continue to keep an eye on the house.
Lexi Elio with ResistAustin, a liberal advocacy organization, also spoke against Musk.
“We do not believe that the richest members of our society should receive special exception or after they break the rules,” she said.
But a narrow majority of the council members were swayed by Haddad.
At the outset of the discussion, she gave an extended presentation to the council where she offered a number of concessions to address neighbors’ concerns. Haddad also argued the land on which the home was built presents a number of challenges, from a deep slope from the street to its septic system, that make ensuring security more difficult.
Before taking the vote, the council members discussed the pros and cons of approving the variances. Plunkett said Musk’s requests went beyond most of those they usually approved, and said he did not think Haddad proved her case that there weren’t better security alternatives.
Gordon Bowman said he was frustrated with residents making changes and then asking for council approval, but argued that the topography of land on which the home was built provided the hardship argument Musk needed to get his OK.
Darin Walker agreed: “I would say that’s a hardship and it’s specific to the property. It has nothing to do with the homeowner."
Before taking the discussion, the city council left the chamber to speak privately with its attorney.
Musk’s representatives have attempted to cast a cloak of secrecy around the entire issue, unsuccessfully asking the city to hold the discussion behind closed doors. Local officials have also fought against releasing records about Musk’s home, arguing making them public would put the homeowner at risk of physical harm.
Musk has also been linked to a home in South Texas near SpaceX, his rocket launch facility. That home is much smaller. The land on which it sits is owned by the company and the area was just incorporated in its own city — with Musk employees as its elected leaders.
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