Southwest Austin - Dripping Springs Edition | February 2024

Development

BY ELLE BENT

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ, held a public meeting Jan. 29 regarding a wastewater permit led by California-based company Blizexas for the proposed Fitzhugh Concert Venue. Not a single resident spoke in favor of the project during public comment and most urged the TCEQ to not approve the permit. Those who spoke expressed concern over the venue’s proposed: • water usage and potential runoff that could pollute local waterways • safety on Fitzhugh Road, which has one lane running in either direction with no shoulders. Fight over music venue continues

The takeaway

If issued, the permit would provide the venue, which plans to serve up to 5,000 people, three times a week , with its own municipal wastewater service. The venue would use an average of 12,000 gallons of water per day , and would source the water from a well installed on-site, Blizexas engineer Erin Banks said. The TCEQ maintains that the permit will not allow for the applicant to discharge any pollutants into water and that the permit “includes provisions to protect local surface water and groundwater resources,” according to TCEQ documents. The TCEQ will prepare written responses to comments made at the Jan. 29 meeting. Prior to making a nal decision on the wastewater permit, the TCEQ will take these comments into consideration.

Residents spoke against the development during public comment Jan. 29.

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