Residents and Environmental Groups Rally Against Proposed Development Near Hamilton Pool
Austin Community Opposes Mirasol Springs Development Plan
On May 21st, residents of Austin, alongside environmental activists, congregated along Hamilton Pool Road to express their opposition to a planned 1,400-acre development in the area, known as the Mirasol Springs Development. This action coincided with an event held by the University of Texas at Austin (UT) to acknowledge the philanthropic gestures of the same developer.
Mirasol Springs: A Controversial Development
The contentious Mirasol Springs development involves the construction of 71 residences, a luxury hotel, multiple restaurants, and event venues. The proposal, unveiled in 2021, accommodates land for both a conservation area and a biological research field station for the University of Texas, thereby adding to its complexity.
The Hill Country Field Station project, one aspect of the development plan, is to be partly funded by a significant donation of $50 million made to the University by Steve Winn, the CEO of Mirasol Capital, part of the Winn Family Foundation. However, the intended location for the field station remains undetermined, according to UT spokesperson, Christine Sinatra.
Activists and Residence Raise Voice in Protest
Demonstrators gathered outside the UT event hope their protest will amplify awareness among university-related attendees regarding their disapprobation of the proposed Mirasol Springs plans.
“Our research indicates there simply isn’t an adequate water supply to service this project in its current guise,” stated Bill Bunch, president of the Save Our Springs Alliance and organizer of the protest.
“We anticipate that the guests at today’s UT event honoring the Winns will hear our perspective and potentially join our cause.”
Several protesting residents who live adjacent to the proposed development site expressed concerns about the local water supply. According to Michelle Kucera, a 27-year resident whose property gets its water from the Trinity aquifer, Mirasol Springs’ expected daily water extraction from the aquifer exceeds their needs.
What Lies Ahead?
Currently, the development faces multiple permit considerations for groundwater and wastewater by the Southwestern Travis County Groundwater Conservation District and the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. It also has a pending application at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the diversion of more than 100 acre-feet of Pedernales River flows, as stated by Bunch.
The proposed development claims to act as a model for eco-sensitive design and development, stewardship, restoration, and education. However, protestors are not convinced, expecting a protracted legal battle ahead, even if the permits are approved. Throughout the controversy, Mirasol Springs’ developers maintain ongoing communications with the opponents and reiterate the merits of their vision, says representative Jim Truitt.
While this ongoing saga unfolds, one thing is clear; the residents and environmental advocates have no plans of backing down any time soon as they seek to protect their local environment from what they see as overdevelopment.
