We are thrilled to announce: YOU did it!
After months of hard work, a groundswell of community opposition, and a coalition effort from dedicated groups--Save Our Springs Alliance, Save Barton Creek Association, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, Austin Sierra Club, Austin Environmental Democrats, and Hays Residents for Land and Water Protection—the item that would have initiated an amendment to the Save Our Springs Ordinance for Milestone's proposed "Hays Commons" development has been withdrawn from consideration. This means we are calling off the action alert to speak on Tuesday January 28th at the Planning Commission meeting. We are so grateful to the hundreds of SOS members and allies who voiced concern about the proposed Hays Commons’ development. While the exact reasons for the withdrawal remain unclear, we know that our collective efforts played a key role in this outcome. Based on community-driven concerns, many Austin Planning Commissioners raised important questions about this proposal’s conflicts with the City’s sustainable growth plans and highlighted the potential environmental damage the project could cause over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. Additionally, a key turning point came when Council Member Paige Ellis announced she would not support the applicant's request for increased impervious cover on the site. This sent a strong signal that City Council would not back the proposal if it advanced. We are also incredibly thankful to the Austin Environmental Commission and Planning Commission members who met with us and ultimately supported the effort to protect this area from overdevelopment. This is a meaningful win in the larger fight to protect this critical area of the Recharge Zone. We must continue to ensure that City resources, including water, are not used to support unstainable growth in this area. Continuing the Work Even though we’ve won this round, there’s still more to do.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to be part of this effort—whether by attending meetings, sharing your concerns, or helping spread the word. This victory wouldn’t have been possible without your involvement and passion for protecting our community’s natural resources. Stay tuned for updates on the next phases of this project and how you can stay involved. With immense gratitude, SOS Alliance Comments are closed.
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