TCEQ to hold second public meeting on proposed venue off Fitzhugh Road

DRIPPING SPRINGS — Residents have been voicing their concerns about a proposed music venue in Dripping Springs/southwest Austin, but they may feel some relief as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) announced that it will host a second public meeting on the development.

Requested by state Sen. Donna Campbell, the public meeting will be regarding a proposed wastewater and water quality land application permit submitted by Blizexas LLC, which is a California-based developer who wants to build a 5,000-seat music venue off Fitzhugh Road.

“I filed a request with TCEQ to schedule another public hearing because my office was contacted by an overwhelming number of residents impacted by the proposed Fitzhugh venue,” said Sen. Campbell. “In addition to the outpouring of residents’ comments, the permit for the venue was filed incorrectly and for the sake of government transparency, it was necessary for another public meeting to address the Fitzhugh venue. TCEQ publicized and mailed the first notice in English only. The notices are to be printed in English and Spanish.”

The permit proposes to authorize the disposal of treated wastewater at a volume not to exceed a daily average flow of 12,000 gallons per day via subsurface drip irrigation system with a minimum area of 2.75 acres of public access land, according to TCEQ. While no action will be taken by TCEQ on the permit application, the meeting will be an opportunity for community members to come forward to ask questions, voice concerns and formally comment.

“Opportunities for public input are always welcome. TCEQ will have the opportunity to hear the concerns of affected parties. Citizens will have the opportunity to ask questions of TCEQ and the applicant,” said Annalisa Peace, executive director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA). “Issues covered in comments from the public can be considered and can determine the outcome of the contested case process on this permit.”

“I am glad that they're going to do it. I think the first time around, a lot of people were not that familiar with the project and the implications,” said Kevin Fleming, a concerned resident and member of the Stop Fitzhugh Concert Venue Coalition, referencing TCEQ’s first public meeting on the venue that occurred in November 2022. “And so I'm glad Sen. Campbell requested a [second] meeting so that you can fully understand what they're developing. I think it'll get some facts out on the table.”

Sen. Campbell said that she hopes that members of the public will show up to the meeting and let their voices be heard. Though she is not against development, she believes that everyone should be “cognizant of the diminishing supply of water for current residents and the erasing of the Hill Country landscape due to growth.”

“This is your opportunity to let your opinions and voices be heard on this development, as there may not be another chance. Developers are flocking to the Hill Country and will continue to buy land in the county to build compact subdivisions and venues that may not be in the best interest of the people living near there,” she said. “The developers and TCEQ will never know your thoughts if you don’t attend these public hearings and speak up. On the flip side, I would encourage residents to be willing to work with the developer towards a compromise if that is a viable option for the health and safety of affected residents near this, or any, development.”

With one of the major concerns of the project being wastewater and the environmental impact, Fleming hopes that the meeting will “clearly identify the risks of a development of this density,” especially because Barton Creek is nearby. Because he lives adjacent to the creek, Fleming is worried that the availability of water resources could be restricted if the venue was built.

“If they drain down the aquifer with their water usage, the runoff will be disastrous to the creek. One of the prized possessions of Central Texas is Barton Creek. And it's just not very far from it," he said. "They’re going to park a couple of thousand cars and all the oil from those cars will end up somewhere. Is there water quality? Is it going to be properly cleaned before it gets into the creek? I don't think it is based upon what I saw. I think it's going to make its way into the creek. [In] the wastewater system that they have proposed, it's really hard to tell what they really have planned."

“They say it's a 5,000-seat amphitheater. Well, I don't know if they're going to add restaurants and other uses to this that could compound the wastewater usage on-site, and how that's going to be taken care of on-site with filtration ponds or whatever they've got,” Fleming continued. “If it starts to have an overflow or discharge, that's not completely 100% contained on their site and it gets down to the creek, that will be a devastating wastewater impact on the creek.”

The GEAA agreed that the proximity of the development — approximately half of a mile — to Barton Creek, coupled with a 150-foot elevation difference between the higher drip fields and the lower Barton Creek location create the potential for nutrient pollution for this segment of the creek, according to comments submitted to TCEQ. The alliance also stated that the soil in the area is thin and not capable of adequate effluent absorption, especially during rainy periods when the ground is already saturated.

“Pollution from stormwater and treated sewage runoff could have substantial downstream impacts on Barton Creek,” added GEAA Technical Director Mike Clifford.

Like many residents and members of the community, GEAA does not agree that the rural tract should be developed into a music venue as it is currently proposed.

“The project is totally inappropriate for this site,” Peace said.

Other concerns that have been raised include: added noise that could be damaging to nearby residents and wildlife; the natural beauty of the Texas dark skies that could be threatened by light pollution; and additional traffic on the narrow and winding Fitzhugh Road that could potentially lead to longer daily commutes for drivers and delays for emergency service vehicles to travel to residents and people in need.

“Since living in our little cabin, we have seen an increased amount of traffic, including semis, construction vehicles and cars. The stop sign at the corner of Fitzhugh and Trautwein is not visible to oncoming traffic. We are also concerned that Fitzhugh is a windy two-lane country road with double yellow lines through most of the road. In addition, Fitzhugh has no shoulders and there are still several residential properties,” said Sharon Thiede, who lives at Crumley Ranch Road and Fitzhugh Road. “I believe if this venue is built, it will result in more accidents and decrease our property values. Another point of contention is our environment. Since living in our cute log cabin, I have seen a decrease in butterflies, birds and hummingbirds.”

“Everybody relishes in the Hill Country because of what it is. It's an unbelievable [and] beautiful setting. I know there's very little regulatory [authority], but the noise is going to drive the animals away. And the light from this is going to drive the animals away,” Fleming said. “We’re adjacent to the Shield Ranch, who's built their outdoor venue for kids and people to come experience the outdoors. This is going to blast right up and down on Friday and Saturdays, and I daresay it will have a huge negative impact on what they have been trying to do, which is preserve land in Travis County and Hays County and have a sanctuary of some sort for people to go to. This will impact it in the worst way.”

TCEQ has not announced when the second public meeting will be held, but it is anticipated to take place before the end of the year.

In addition to TCEQ’s meeting, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra announced that there will be a community forum held about the proposed venue from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 2 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, located at 1042 Event Center Dr. in Dripping Springs. Becerra will be accompanied by Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard, Hays County Chief of Staff Alex Villalobos, Hays County Fire Marshal Mark Wobus, Director of Development Services Marcus Pacheco and Hays County General Counsel Tucker Furlow.