Posting Language
Title
Conduct a public hearing in accordance with Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 26 and consider a resolution authorizing a temporary change in use of dedicated parkland, known as the Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt, 8020 Spicewood Springs Road, to allow the Watershed Protection Department to use 15,246 square feet of parkland for a temporary storage and staging area during construction of the Old Lampasas Dam Modernization project.
De
Lead Department
Parks and Recreation Department, Office of Real Estate Services.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
Prior Council Action:
April 4, 2024 - City Council set the date and location of this public hearing for May 2, 2024, at Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX.
For More Information:
Parks and Recreation Department, Ricardo Soliz, Division Manager, (512) 974- 9452; Gregory Montes, Program Manager, (512) 974-9458.
Office of Real Estate Services, Michael Gates, Real Estate Officer, (512) 974-5639.
Sponsoring Department - Watershed Protection Department, Henry Price, P.E, Supervising Engineer, (512) 974-1275; Marie Lancaster E.I.T., Engineer, (512) 974-1347.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
January 22, 2024 - Recommended by the Parks and Recreation Board on a vote of 8-0-2, with Board Members Hugman and Reed abstaining. Recommendation No. 20240122-6.
Additional Backup Information:
Chapter 26 of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code provides that the use of parkland for non-park purposes may be approved upon findings that there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the parkland and that all reasonable planning has been undertaken to minimize harm to such land.
Old Lampasas No. 3 Dam is a dry storm water detention facility located 400 feet upstream of Old Lampasas Road, about one quarter mile west of Spicewood Springs Road on Bull Creek Tributary 4A in the Bull Creek Watershed. The Watershed Protection Department is proposing a construction project to repair failing components that are critical to the safe functioning of the facility.
The dam was built circa 1984 as part of the Park at Spicewood Springs neighborhood development and is managed by the Parks and Recreation Department. The dam exists within a greenbelt which was platted as a drainage easement and a public utility easement. The easement connects Old Lampasas No. 3 Dam to the main stem of Bull Creek. During Tropical Storm Hermine in September 2010, the dam suffered damage, requiring repairs to stabilize the embankment.
The dam has not been maintained in the decades since its construction. It is heavily vegetated in areas where soil is retained but much of the dam’s slope is compromised with exposed limestone boulders with obvious voids. Components of the dam critical to its safe functioning in a storm event are failing and must be repaired. The concrete inlet headwall is separated from the dam and the principal spillway corrugated metal pipe culvert is almost completely collapsed. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality inspected the dam and classified it as being highly hazardous based on the potential for loss of life if it were to fail. Old Lampasas No. 3 Dam does not comply with current high hazard dam safety and performance criteria and is at risk of failing during a large storm. In the event of such a failure, 37 homes, a church, an electrical substation, and eight roadway crossings, including seven low-water crossings, would be impacted. The project proposed by Watershed Protection will significantly reduce the risk of such an event.
The Parks and Recreation Board reviewed the request at the January 22, 2024, meeting and provided a recommendation to City Council. This item is brought forward because there is no feasible and prudent alternative to the use of the dedicated parkland and all reasonable planning has been and will be taken to minimize harm to such lands. The dates of public notification in the Austin American-Statesman were April 7, 14 and 21, 2024.