"Donut Hole" Land Annexation Hearing
Public Hearing on Area 29 Annexation:
A special public hearing was held to discuss annexing land in the Walsh/Tarlton Road Area, proposing full annexation for 188 acres and limited annexation for 528 acres.Divided Resident Opinions:
Residents voiced strong and conflicting views; some pushed for immediate annexation for city services and development control, famously calling their unannexed area a "hole in the middle of a donut," while others preferred their independent wells and septic systems over full city integration.Development & Planning Perspectives:
Developers advocated for full annexation to secure platting rights, whereas the Planning Commission suggested a more gradual approach, recommending limited annexation as a first step.Hearing Concluded, No Immediate Decision:
The City Council voted to close the public hearing, concluding the discussion for the day without making an immediate ruling on the annexation proposals.
Full Transcript
ན City Council Ron Mullen Mayor John Treviño, Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Council Members Mark Rose Roger Duncan Sally Shipman Mark E. Spaeth Charles E. Urdy Jorge Carrasco City Manager Elden Aldridge City Clerk FY OF AU M FOUNDED 1839 Austin City Council MINUTES For SPECIAL CALLED MEETING - August 10, 1983 4:00 Ρ.Μ. Council Chambers, 307 West Second Street, Austin, Texas Memorandum To: Mayor Mullen called to order the Special Meeting of the Council scheduled for 4:00 P.M., at the intersection of Pinnacle Road and Allen Road, Travis County, Texas, for the purpose of a public hearing on the annexation of approximately 188 acres of land for full purpose annexation and 528 acres of land for limited purpose annexation. Annexation area 29 (Walsh / Tarlton Road Area) The Mayor noted the absence of Councilmember Duncan. Donna Kristaponis spoke for staff saying that there were three tracts of full purpose annexation, the last being Eanes Crossing. Eanes Crossing is divided as follows: 79% undeveolped, 11% residential, 9% commercial, and 18 public. An unidentifed man, speaking on behalf of the developers, stated the areas shown for full service annexation are not the only areas getting full service. He wants full annexation and right to plat. Judy Fowler said that the Planning Commission recommended full purpose with limited purpose first. Jana Cruthchfield stated "the City of Austin now surrounds us but does not include us. We're the hole in the middle of a donut. Zoning along 360 causes developers to move to adjacent areas that are not zoned, Uncontrolled developing in our area is not accelerating." Mimi Harvey, an area 29 resident, said, "annex us now for control." Velma Price, a Stoneridge resident, says they are not enthused about limited annexation and certainly don't want full. They have their own wells and septic tanks. Harriett Strieber, of the Walsh/Tarlton Neighborhood Association, is in favor of annexation. Council Memo -2- August 10, 1984 Motion With no further discussion, on Councilmember Spaeth's motion and Mayor Mullen's second, the Council voted to close the public hearing. (6-0 vote) ADJOURNMENT The Council adjourned the meeting at 4:30P.M.