If you wanted to build a big subdivision in a really bad place, where would you put it? Would you build it in a place with lots of rocky gaps and cracks on the ground that would allow dirty surface water to seep into the Edwards Aquifer, which provides water for hundreds of residential wells as well as Barton Springs Pool? Unfortunately, this is exactly where Milestone Community Builders wants to put its Hays Commons subdivision, a 498-acre subdivision that would be located in one of the worst places possible — over the Recharge Zone for the Edwards Aquifer.
Milestone is even asking Austin’s officials to help them make this subdivision worse. The developer is demanding an unprecedented concession from the city that would let it build Hays Commons with 25% impervious cover instead of 15%, which is the maximum amount that would otherwise be allowed under the Save Our Springs Ordinance for new construction over the Recharge Zone. The additional impervious cover — roofs, streets, and parking lots — would produce even more dirty stormwater runoff that could seep into the Edwards Aquifer.
SBCA Board Member Michelle Camp in Little Bear Creek, which runs through Hays Commons.
On January 14, members of Austin’s Planning Commission will vote on whether to give Milestone this concession, which would require amending the SOS Ordinance. SBCA urges you to attend the meeting and tell the commissioners that they shouldn’t undermine the SOS Ordinance just for one subdivision. We’ll post more details later this week on how to attend and speak at the Planning Commission meeting.
And on this Tuesday, January 7, you can prepare for the Planning Commission meeting by joining SBCA and our coalition partners at the Hays Commons Community Meeting. Speakers from SBCA, Save Our Springs Alliance, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, Austin Sierra Club, and Hays Residents for Land & Water Protection will explain what’s wrong with Hays Common, and answer your questions about what to say at the Planning Commission meeting. The Hays Commons Community Meeting will be held at 6-7pm on Tuesday, January 14, at the offices of Save Our Springs Alliance, 4701 West Gate Boulevard, Suite D-401, Austin, TX 78745. You can attend in person or via Zoom by registering either on Facebook or Zoom.
Where is Hays Commons?
Milestone Community Builders is proposing this subdivision for a 498-acre property located west of Manchaca and north of Buda at the intersection of SH 45 and FM 1626. Milestone plans to build 700 single-family homes and 12 acres of commercial space, with a projected population of 2,500 people.
