FYI: Article on Dog's Head Development in East Austin

[Dale Weisman]

Hi all,

The Community Impact article below provides a comprehensive overview of the city's and Endeavor's Dog's Head Development plans. An aerial map visually shows why this massive, unincorporated and undeveloped area is called the "Dog's Head." It's a greenfield opportunity for large-scale development spanning decades, and I hope that the area is developed with appropriate levels of environmental sensitivity and equity, rather than a Houston-style minimal-zoning free-for-all. The Mueller neighborhood model would be closer to ideal.

Some of you may have seen/read the several emails to the BAC list from Tom Wald, Laura Carbonneau and Noni Jarnagin, expressing concerns that development plans might negatively impact the Southern Walnut Creek Trail: "Don’t pave over one of East Austin’s most important trails." It seems highly likely that Council will vote to approve initial plans for Dog's Head annexation this Thursday May 21. If this development moves forward as planned, the BAC and PAC would likely have opportunities to provide input on future multi-use trails within the Dog's Head area. Hopefully, we will have plenty of time to voice concerns for the fate of the SWCT, as well as draft future resolutions regarding the buildout of other trails and bikeways in the area for years to come.

Here are some key takeaways from the article:

• City officials appear likely to annex more than 4 square miles of land in East Austin along the Colorado River and support decades of mixed-use development there.
• Dogs Head Land JV Ltd., an entity registered to Austin's Endeavor Real Estate Group, owns the land along the Colorado north of the airport between US 183 and SH 130. 
• That area known as the Dog's Head is valued at tens of millions of dollars and covers more than 2,600 acres—more than twice the size of downtown.
• The full site would be annexed this spring under a 45-year development agreement between the city and Endeavor.
• Construction in the Dog's Head wouldn't be subject to certain city regulations like certain design standards, overall height limits and restrictions on building size near homes.
• The Dog's Head would also have some variances from Austin's standards for drainage, water quality and other environmental requirements.
  
• More than 260 acres of open space would gradually be dedicated throughout the Dog's Head over the 45-year term of the agreement. 
• A roughly 6.5-mile public trail is planned, with an initial 2-mile portion on the northern side of the area to open within 2 years of TIRZ adoption. Access points to the river for non-motorized craft like kayaks and paddleboards are also envisioned.
• Initial council votes May 21 would advance the annexation and create the tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ), to be followed by adoption of a final project financing plan in July.

Thx for listening,

Dale Weisman (first time BAC member)

City moving toward 2.6K-acre annexation to support decades of mixed-use development in East Austin

City moving toward 2.6K-acre annexation to support decades of mixed-use ... Ben Thompson Austin could enter into a 45-year development agreement for the more than 4-square-mile area known as the Dog's ...

[Noni Jarnagin]

Hi,

The article shared here concerns me more than it eases my initial worries. While it provides more detail, it highlights that the project would have variances from Austin's standards for drainage, water quality, and other environmental requirements, and potentially reaching 100% impervious cover.

Regarding the open space and trails, the layout remains vague. Although the mileage and timeline are noted, the article explicitly states that exact locations for infrastructure are "still to be determined" over a 45-year period. A lot can happen in that time, and we cannot afford to rely on vague promises or grant what essentially looks like a blank check to skip established city standards.

This project must be closely monitored. We must provide consistent input to ensure another development does not ruin our valued greenspaces, recreation areas, and alternative travel routes. The potential for a detrimental impact on the surrounding area is high. These trails and greenspaces are a core part of what makes Austin what it is and must be protected.

Be Well,

Noni

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[Dale Weisman]

Since I'm not able to attend tomorrow's council sessions, I sent this message to all council members this morning -- as an Austin citizen and not a BAC member:

I'm writing to express concerns that future development plans for the massive Dog's Head area, led by the Endeavor group, might sacrifice environmental and water quality regulations that are applied throughout the rest of Austin. Furthermore, I strongly urge that the Southern Walnut Creek Trail, a shining gem in Austin's multiuse trail/bikeway network, be preserved as is and not disrupted by future roads and mixed-use development.  Don’t pave over one of East Austin’s most important trails, and leave the surrounding greenspaces and natural areas bordering the SWCT alone!  Thanks for listing to me and thousands of other trail/bikeway users in Austin.

dale

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 09:32:41 AM CDT, Shefman Law Group <len...@cyclistlaw.com> wrote:

Noni you are spot on!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/austin-bac/CAFnOxVPXhVOZdN_SLrDAAS6kQsNR1sfS5itEiD9Ai19HoBCbBQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Noni Jarnagin]

Very well said. Thank you Dale. Thank you Lenore.

[Noni Jarnagin]

Well Dale, you inspired me.

This is what I sent to the mayor & council:
Dear Mayor and Members of the Austin City Council,

I am writing to express my strong concerns regarding the proposed 2.6K-acre annexation and 45-year development agreement in East Austin. Rather than easing my worries, the recent details of this plan raise serious alarms.

My primary concern is the inclusion of sweeping variances from Austin’s standards for drainage, water quality, and environmental protection. Allowing developers to bypass these critical safeguards—and potentially reach up to 100% impervious cover—sets a dangerous precedent that threatens our watersheds and increases flood risks.

Furthermore, the plans for open spaces and trails remain entirely too vague. With exact infrastructure locations "still to be determined" over a 45-year period, this agreement essentially hands developers a blank check. Greenspaces and alternative travel routes are central to Austin’s identity and quality of life; we cannot rely on vague, long-term promises to protect them.

I urge the City Council to closely monitor this project and maintain strict oversight. Please do not advance this annexation without requiring legally binding environmental protections and concrete, guaranteed locations for our trails and greenspaces. This must include community input and transparency from all parties.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Richard Brandon Jarnagin

78746

Noni

_____________________________________________

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. 

- Albert Einstein

[Shefman Law Group]

Noni you are spot on!

On Wed, May 20, 2026 at 8:49 AM Noni Jarnagin <non...@gmail.com> wrote:

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/austin-bac/CAFnOxVPXhVOZdN_SLrDAAS6kQsNR1sfS5itEiD9Ai19HoBCbBQ%40mail.gmail.com.