 Protect Barton Springs: Say NO to Austin City Council Item 24 this Thursday, Feb. 27th The developer of the property at 5725 West US Highway 290 Eastbound (Site Plan #SPC-2023-0276C) is seeking a "redevelopment exception" to bypass the Save Our Springs (SOS) Initiative Ordinance, which applies to all development within the Barton Springs Zone. Under the requested exception, the developer would avoid building a full SOS-compliant water quality pond, which is essential for filtering stormwater runoff and protecting water quality. Instead, the developer proposes to use a less effective sand filtration pond and to make a small payment to the Barton Springs Zone mitigation fund—an amount far too small to meaningfully offset the environmental impact or acquire mitigation land. This request undermines the purpose of the SOS Ordinance, which was designed to limit urban runoff and overdevelopment in this ecologically vulnerable area. The developer is leveraging a recent zoning change (DB90 zoning), which allows for increased building height and density, to add an additional floor of units. Despite the additional flexibility to go higher, the developer has not reduced the overall development footprint. The extra floor will likely generate millions of dollars in long-term revenue for the developer. However, instead of using this financial windfall to enhance environmental protections, the developer is trying to get approval of a redevelopment exception to avoid environmental mitigation, such as meaningfully reducing impervious cover and implementing best-available water quality measures. The Save Our Springs Alliance is joining neighborhood leaders in opposing this exception and will be urging the Austin City Council to demand better. The Austin Environmental Commission reviewed this application and recommended that, among other things, the developer should reduce impervious cover to 40% and upgrade the water quality treatment to be fully SOS-compliance. These steps would ensure that the project better aligns with current environmental standards, while still allowing for redevelopment. The City Council has the authority to deny this redevelopment exception, and it should exercise that discretion to protect the Barton Springs Zone. At the very least, the developer should comply with the Environmental Commission’s recommendations to reduce impervious cover to 40% and upgrade the water quality treatment to meet SOS standards. Approving this exception as proposed would lock the property into non-compliance with the SOS Ordinance for the next 40 years—the typical lifespan of a multi-family development. By requiring improved water quality measures now, the City Council can ensure long-term protections for Barton Springs. Please join us in speaking out in OPPOSITION to Item 24 using the form below. Speakers must sign up before Wednesday, February 26th at noon.  Show SOS Some Love! Amplify Austin Early Giving is Underway Amplify Austin is Central Texas’ biggest day of giving, and early donations give us a head start in our efforts to raise visibility and support for all that we do throughout Central Texas. Right now, our water faces unprecedented threats. Drought, overdevelopment, and pressure on our longstanding policies are chipping away at the protections that keep Barton Springs flowing and the Edwards Aquifer clean and healthy for life. Your early gift helps us fight back—through legal action, advocacy, and hands-on education programs like Barton Springs University. The challenges ahead are bigger than ever, but so is our commitment. Donate early and stand with us in defense of the springs, the aquifer, and the future of our water.  Speak Up for Austin’s Future: Budget Conversations with City Manager T.C. Broadnax A city budget shows the values and priorities of Austin, while also shaping the future of our community. Over the next few weeks, our newly appointed City Manager T.C. Broadnax is hosting town hall meetings to hear from the public about prime concerns for Austin in the upcoming fiscal year. Austin’s rapid growth is putting increasing pressure on everything we love. Without dedicated funding, we risk losing the green spaces, clean water, and tree canopy that make this city livable. Here are some key issues that need public support:
What we choose to fund—or ignore—determines the kind of Austin we live in and leave for the next generation.  SOS is Hiring! Join Our Outreach Team Make a difference for Barton Springs and get paid to do it! Are you a regular swimmer at Barton Springs Pool? Do you enjoy talking to people about the environment? If this sounds like you, here are two opportunities to make a positive impact on our environment right now! SOS is currently searching for a part time Ecotour Associate and Trail Advocate for the spring and summer. Spring/Summer Trail Advocate - Responsibilities include in-person tabling shifts focused on engaging fellow Austinites in the Keep Mopac Local campaign. Experience with conservation advocacy, sales and/or environmental policy highly desired, but not required. $17-$25/hour, 8am-12pm Weekends. Pay commensurate with experience. Summer Ecotour Associate - Help support ecotours and snorkel tours at Barton Springs Pool! We are looking for fellow Barton Springs swimmers who are comfortable with public speaking and facilitating group activities.$20-$25/hour, 8am-12pm Saturday mornings. 5-10 hours a week. Read the full job requirements and desired skill on our website if you are interested. To apply, email [email protected] with the Job Title in the subject line, and please include a resume and why this position interests you!  Join SOS field guides and a special guest for a guided hike and optional swim/snorkel of the stunning waterfalls of Upper Barton Creek in celebration of International Women's Day.
International Women's Day (Saturday, March 8th) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. Let's gather for an immersive experience in the ecology and rich (feminist!) history of Barton Creek's ecological warriors, its enchanting waters and its famous Greenbelt. Gain a better understanding of the role Barton Creek plays in recharging the Edwards aquifer, witness an array of plant, wildlife and geologic features with the help of special guest experts along the way. Learn more about what you can do to help keep the waters of Barton Creek and Barton Springs clean and flowing for future generations of Austinites. WHEN - Saturday, March 8th at 8am-11:30am WHERE - Hill of Life, Meet at the new SOS HQ (3201 Menchaca Dr) at 8AM for free transportation in our SalaVander to trailhead. Self-drive guests, meet at trailhead (1710 Camp Craft road Austin Tx 78746) at 8:30am. SalaVander will be heading back to SOS HQ from trailhead at 11:30am. Purchase tickets HERE!  Tomorrow, Thursday, February 13th, the Austin City Council will consider a proposal (Item 42) to remove drainage review requirements for residential developments with up to 16 units as part of the "Site Plan Lite" and "Infill Plat" initiatives. Aimed at streamlining housing construction, the Austin Planning Commission has proposed code changes that would eliminate drainage requirements for residential sites 1.5 acres or smaller.
In a city already grappling with severe flooding issues (we’re literally "Flash Flood Alley), the Planning Commission’s recommendation is the opposite of climate resiliency. Increasing pavement while reducing drainage infrastructure is a dangerous combination that could lead to more lot-to-lot flooding, property damage, and environmental degradation in our creeks. By removing drainage oversight for these projects, the city risks amplifying stormwater runoff, leading to localized flooding, creek erosion, and downstream harm. In the item’s backup material, City of Austin staff wrote that the PC proposal would result in the weakest drainage protections in Texas and could "negatively impact surrounding residents by increasing instances of lot-to-lot flooding." Larger developments, particularly those exceeding one acre, may further strain already overburdened drainage systems in neighborhoods prone to flooding, placing residents at even greater risk. While affordable housing is an urgent priority, it should not come at the expense of community safety or environmental protections. Shifting the burden of flood prevention onto private residents instead of requiring developers to address these issues creates long-term risks, including costly property damage and legal battles. Austin must strike a balance between housing affordability and infrastructure resilience to ensure the safety and sustainability of its neighborhoods. Join us in urging the Austin City Council to reject the proposed changes, in their entirety. More focus and consideration should be given to communities experiencing localized flooding and how to protect future residents with maintaining the City’s drainage review and requirements. City Council Meeting: Thursday, February 13th Sign up to speak TODAY, February 12th by Noon. |
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