5 days Ago
AUSTIN, Texas — The developers behind a controversial plan for southwest Austin are asking a state agency to green light a new proposal. That plan, once known as the Violet Crown Amphitheater project, would have built apartments, businesses and a 20,000-seat amphitheater on 71 acres of land on State Highway 71 near Bee Cave . The developer had requested to add 16,000 feet of wastewater lines and water lines as part of the original project proposal.
In early 2022, a city commission shot down the developers’ request for water and wastewater extensions. After that, developers said they withdrew their request and were looking into other options. Now, they're putting forth a plan for a 70-acre resort and residential community in that same spot, called White Rocks.
Developers have filed for a permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to build a wastewater treatment facility there and dispose treated wastewater nearby. Environmentalists have been pushing back on the massive plan for a couple reasons – it's on a nature preserve and near creeks. Advocates with the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance are against it, saying it'll threaten Barton Creek.
“There are established drainage easements between the hilltop tract at high elevation and Barton Creek at lower elevation,” said area landowner Lyle Martin. “Any treated sewage runoff from White Rocks would quickly end up polluting Barton Creek and our private water wells.” On their website, the developers say they plan to preserve 10,000 acres of nature around the project.
The TCEQ is still reviewing their request for that water permit..
