Hays Commons Threatens Barton Springs

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Keep Barton Springs Clean: Vote No on SOS Ordinance Amendment

The Hays Commons development is a serious threat to the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, Barton Springs, and the surrounding conservation lands. As the Environmental Commission considers allowing an amendment to the SOS ordinance to increase impervious cover from 15% to 25% and to extend water and wastewater services, we must act now to protect our water and natural resources. Time is of the essence! Please make your voice heard before the Environmental Commission meeting this Wednesday, October 2nd.

Pollution & Contamination Risks

The proposed development would introduce hundreds of homes and commercial structures into a highly sensitive recharge zone. Non-point source pollution from construction runoff, motor oil, fertilizers, pesticides, and even potential sewage spills would quickly flow into the aquifer and local wells. Studies have shown that pollutants could reach Barton Springs in just 3-5 days, threatening water quality for the entire community. The City of Austin's own dye tracer studies clearly show this risk. The Environmental Commission must prioritize the protection of Barton Springs and reject this dangerous development.

Violation of Conservation & Land Protection Policies

The area surrounding the proposed Hays Commons site is largely under conservation easements, designed to preserve the natural environment, sensitive recharge zone, and water quality. Extending city services to this high-density development would directly contradict Austin’s long-standing policies to prevent urban sprawl and overdevelopment in environmentally sensitive areas. The City has made significant investments to protect the Water Quality Protection Lands, and allowing this development would undermine those efforts, opening the door for future developments that would further threaten our aquifer and natural lands.

Map showing Karst features and environmentally sensitive areas in proposed Hays Commons Development

Increased Infrastructure Costs & Unnecessary Sprawl

If this SOS amendment is approved, the City would encourage high-density development, leading to increased infrastructure demands and damaging effects to the aquifer - and Barton Springs. Roads, water lines, and other public services would need expansion, placing a greater financial burden on taxpayers. This amendment would pave the way for more suburban sprawl over the recharge zone, setting a dangerous precedent for future developments. Both the City of Hays and Hays County have already rejected this proposal due to environmental concerns—Austin must follow their lead and say no.

In addition to sending this email, we encourage you to show up to speak against this proposed SOS Ordinance amendment at the Environmental Commission meeting on Wednesday October 2nd at 6pm at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Events Center Room 1405, Austin, Texas 78752.

Please fill out the form below to send an email to the Mayor and Austin's City Council

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Austin City Council and Mayor

Subject: Urgent: Vote NO on the Hays Commons Request for SOS Ordinance Amendment

Message:

Dear Environmental Commissioners, I am writing to urge you to oppose the proposed amendment to the Save Our Springs (SOS) Ordinance that would allow the Hays Commons development to move forward with increasing impervious cover and the extension of water and wastewater services over the sensitive Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. This area is directly connected to our beloved Barton Springs, with pollutants potentially reaching the springs in just 3-5 days. The detrimental effects of this development far outweigh any short-term gains and would violate the very principles that the SOS Ordinance was created to uphold. The Risk to Barton Springs is Immediate and Severe The City of Austin's own dye tracer studies have shown that groundwater from the Hays Commons site could reach Barton Springs in a mere 3 to 5 days. Non-point source pollution—such as motor oil, antifreeze, construction sediment, fertilizers, and pesticides—will rapidly flow into the aquifer and Barton Springs, threatening not only our water quality but also the health of Austin's residents and wildlife. The SOS Ordinance was put in place to prevent exactly this type of scenario. Allowing the impervious cover limit to increase to 25% would open the door to more pollution and irreversible damage to the aquifer and springs. Undermining Conservation Efforts This area is surrounded by conservation easements and protected lands—places where the City of Austin has invested heavily in preserving water quality through the Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL) program. By extending utilities to this development, you would undermine these investments and Austin’s long-standing policy of preventing urban sprawl in environmentally sensitive areas. These easements exist to protect our water resources, and allowing high-density development over the recharge zone would directly contradict those efforts. The SOS Ordinance is in place to protect these very lands from overdevelopment, and it must be upheld. Uncontrolled Sprawl and Public Cost Approving this amendment would encourage further suburban sprawl, leading to increased demands on public infrastructure. These expansions come at a cost to Austin taxpayers. The Environmental Commission’s role is to protect Austin’s resources—not to encourage costly, unsustainable development that jeopardizes our natural environment. Both the City of Hays and Hays County have already rejected this development due to the environmental risks. I urge you to follow their example and prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term development interests. Vote NO to Protect Our Springs and Community The SOS Ordinance was established to safeguard Austin’s most critical natural resource—our water. The Hays Commons development would set a dangerous precedent, weakening the protections of the SOS Ordinance and threatening the future of Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer. I respectfully ask you to uphold the SOS Ordinance as it stands. Thank you, Austin Resident

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Keep Barton Springs Clean: Vote No on SOS Ordinance Amendment

Pollution & Contamination Risks

Violation of Conservation & Land Protection Policies

Increased Infrastructure Costs & Unnecessary Sprawl

THANK YOU!

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Keep Barton Springs Clean: Vote No on SOS Ordinance Amendment

Pollution & Contamination Risks

Violation of Conservation & Land Protection Policies

Increased Infrastructure Costs & Unnecessary Sprawl

Thank you for taking action!

THANK YOU!

If you would like to help us take more actions like this, please consider making a donation.