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Direct democracy in Austin is under threat, and we need your help to protect it!  The City of Austin Charter Commission, appointed by the City Council, is pushing forward on a proposal to raise signature requirements on voter-initiated ordinances and council recalls. If this move goes forward, and voters approve it in November, it would essentially end our already limited rights of direct democracy in Austin. The voter-initiated ordinance process has been crucial in shaping our city's policies, from dismantling racist agreements to securing passage of the Save Our Springs ordinance in 1992. No city council would ever pass such an ordinance -- because of the undue influence of developer money on City Hall. It currently takes 20,000 signatures of qualified voters to place a measure on the ballot. This is not an easy task. There have been few citizen initiated ordinances to earn a place on the ballot -- and fewer still that have won voter approval. Don't buy the lie that "its too easy" to secure 20,000 valid voter signatures; its not. The Charter Commission is also considering a recommendation to raise the signature requirements on petitions to recall city council members. Our charter currently requires 10% of qualified voters in a given council district. This is also no easy task. Consider there has been no successful recall petition in Austin in recent memory. Council Members seeking to evade accountability are pushing for these changes. Although rare, a meaningful right to petition for a recall is an important right that should not be rendered meaningless by raising the signature requirement from its current, high bar. These proposals lack practical merit and undermine the democratic process. Key reforms like the Save Our Springs Initiative and the adoption of the 10-1 Geographic Representation began as grassroots efforts, leading to transformative impacts on city policies. It's a blatant attempt by those in power--and their monied backers-- to eliminate the small bit of sharing power with the people that our current charter provides. Together, we can ensure that the voices of Austin residents are heard and respected. Please, click below to email the City of Austin Charter Commission and urge them to vote against the proposed increase in signature requirements and to preserve Austin's direct democracy. If you're able to make a donation to SOS, you'll support our ongoing efforts to defend water quality and uphold our shared democracy in Austin. Thank you for being an integral part of our community and for demonstrating your support when it truly matters. Let's remain united in our efforts to fight for what's right, together!
SOS Alliance With a year-round temperature of ~70º, is there ever a wrong time to swim in Barton Springs? After putting together the pros and cons for each season, we want to know what you think! Summer Soak-fest Is there anything more Austin than a 100º+ day at Barton Springs? The banks are full of swimmers soaking up the sun, blankets of people reading books in the shade, less-clothed visitors practicing yoga at the top of the hill, the sounds of a djembe drum or two. All summer long, there’s a shrill in the air as people jump into the water and experience the cold shock. Pros:
 Fall Frolic Ah fall, Austin’s other summer. Sometimes it’s hard to know if fall is even real, but there are some notable changes at Barton Springs that make it a contender for some patrons. Pros:
 Winter Waters Some people like ice baths, and some people like Barton Springs. In the winter months, the Soul of Austin transforms into a steamy “hot spring” relative to the chilly temperatures. Pros:
 Spring Springs With birdsong filling the air and as we are antsy to break free from the winter chill, we eagerly await the sunny days. When it finally arrives, the allure of Barton Springs is irresistible. Pros:
The Bottom Line No matter when you visit Barton Springs, you’re guaranteed an adventure. Getting to enjoy this serene natural treasure in the heart of Austin, Texas is a gift any time of the year. We want to know, when is your favorite time to dip? SOS Alliance
 TxDOT is planning to widen US Highway 290 from Oak Hill through Dripping Springs from its current undivided four lane format to a divided six-lane with adjacent two-lane frontage roads. To do this, TxDOT will have to widen the right of way from ~180' to ~320', forcing the destruction of 13 residences, 82 commercial businesses and one church. The current safety standards TxDOT refers to suggest a minimum right of way of 400'; in order to cinch in to minimize the amount of eminent domain claims, TxDOT will be utilizing concrete barriers as a safety measure as a result of the limited space. Downtown Dripping Springs, from Roger Hanks Parkway to Rob Shelton Blvd will be a six-lane divided highway with a concrete barricade. While we agree that vehicular and pedestrian safety should be a priority, we are not confident that this expansion proposal will solve these problems. To end a six-lane highway with frontage roads into the series of traditional four-way stop lights in downtown Dripping will not improve any traffic congestion, while adding a significant amount of impervious cover, increasing the risk of damage from floods. As stated in the feasibility draft provided by TxDOT, this breakout section would not increase the level of service rating applied to this part of the highway. Per the report: most of US 290 in Dripping Springs is forecasted to operate at a Level of Service (LOS, rated A through F) of E or worse for either the improved or no-build conditions. This proposal will also impact the migration of wildlife throughout the area, increase light and sound pollution, and impact access to the businesses that will remain along the corridor. Limited access entrance roads enter the highway in 2 mile increments, meaning local drivers will spend more time on the road, navigating turnarounds of up to 2 miles that used to be accessible via left turn lanes. More time on the road translates into more exhaust and heat pollution, and more TRAFFIC, negating any slight time improvements due to removing a few of the traffic lights. With the proposed widening, and concrete barriers, local wildlife movement will be impacted. Lack of wildlife crossings presents both a safety hazard and an impediment to the necessary movement of species. Deer/car crashes could be better addressed through adequate crossings. The feasibility draft mentions congestion at the intersection of 12 and 290, yet plans leave the intersection foundationally identical. The only changes proposed to this intersection seem to be dedicated right turn lanes on 290, and removing one of the two left turn lanes onto westbound 290 from northbound 12 (south of the intersection). The intersection of RM 12 and Mercer street isn’t included in the schematic, and may not undergo improvement. The City of Dripping Springs traffic study from 2021 mentions significant congestion at this intersection in the introduction. It is difficult to anticipate any improvements to congestion if the proposal is to provide more lanes to these intersections without improving the intersections themselves.  The environmental constraint map presented at the public meeting was meant to show seeps and springs; it marked wells in the downtown Dripping Springs area, but neglected to identify the namesake springs of the town. These should be highlighted and featured, with public access walking trails.
Our belief is that water quality could be better addressed by using bioswales within medians to clean runoff closer to the source, utilizing taller, more deeply rooted plants which aid in both clarification and infiltration. Instead, presumably closely-mown water quality ponds are placed right along the banks of creeks, even encroaching into creek channels. During 100 year flood events, these would be inundated, negating any filtration, and allowing untreated water to infiltrate and contaminate the aquifer. Likewise, breaking up the east and west-bound lanes with interior bioswale medians reduces the chance of hydroplaning from excess runoff, creating safer driving conditions. It is curious that no alternatives to traditional four-way intersections are a part of this proposal. If this TXDOT proposal included options for roundabouts, diverging diamond interchanges, or otherwise addressed the congestion at intersections along this route, it may be possible to mitigate widening the right of way and the costs associated with that, while accomplishing improved mobility and safety for all. If, in order to maintain the highest measure of safety, it becomes necessary to further lower the speed limit along the corridor to 45mph, this may also encourage drivers to find alternative routes to and around Dripping Springs such as Fitzhugh Road or FM 1826, both of which are scheduled for improvements per their respective jurisdictions. Improving alternate routes for travelers should be a concomitant suggestion to improve traffic and safety. An important further consideration is the new 2500 student high school planned for Dripping Springs off Darden Hill Road; once constructed, this facility will greatly relieve congestion at 290 and 12, as students east of there will no longer be traveling through at busy times. It’s an interesting exercise to contemplate which takes longer, and comes at a greater cost in terms of money, environmental destruction, and lost time: a new school, or years of highway delay due to environmental and funding requirements and roadway construction? While this part of the Hill Country is experiencing unprecedented growth, it's disappointing, if not offensive, to be presented with a project that maintains the status quo for a highway layout that will continue to need improvements for as long as the infrastructure exists, while destroying the livelihood of almost 100 business owners and the homes of over a dozen more, and offering no relief from the problems mentioned by the community. To spend a quarter of a billion dollars on a project that will destroy the character and feeling of Dripping Springs while not solving the problems it set out to is an insult to everyone here. Thank you for the opportunity to review plans and submit comments. Public participation is a valuable ingredient to any public infrastructure. For those utilizing this to create their own comments, here are further references for consideration: What is Vision Zero? | Vision Zero Network Urban Street Design Guide | National Association of City Transportation Officials (nacto.org) Downtown Thoroughfare | National Association of City Transportation Officials (nacto.org) w15376.pdf (nber.org) Your participation is crucial to preserving the Hill Country and Proposing REAL solutions for our community's transit challenges. Hands Off Our Highways! SOS Alliance  Today is one worth celebrating as we take a step forward in protecting our invaluable watershed. The Austin City Council voted on the acquisition of a 490-acre conservation easement on Onion Creek near Driftwood, a move that aligns with our ongoing efforts to protect the areas most vulnerable to urban runoff and development. The Onion Creek watershed is the largest source of recharge waters that feed Barton Springs.  As Onion Creek flows across the fractured, cave-forming Edwards limestone, its waters plunge into the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards Aquifer. Once inside the Edwards, those waters flow rapidly to the north through open channels in the rock before emerging at Barton Springs. Along the way, Kyle, Buda, and other smaller water providers pump this beautiful, clear Edwards water for their municipal water supplies.
Hays County is contributing $1 million towards the easement, and we thank the Hays County Commissioners Court for joining in with the City of Austin to protect as much of the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer watershed as we can. Let's take a moment to acknowledge the momentum this brings towards our bigger goals. Last November, voters overwhelmingly approved a $400 million bond for parks and conservation lands. Now, we need the City Council to follow suit and ask voters to approve $800 million this year for comprehensive land, water, and climate protection, as outlined in Austin's Climate Equity Plan. This is a landmark decision in the RIGHT direction. Send emails, make calls, and thank Council for protecting this 490 acres and urge them to move now to place more funds on the ballot for permanent protection of open spaces all around Austin. In gratitude, SOS Alliance |
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