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MileStone wants site annexed to Austin amid aquifer concerns

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MileStone wants site annexed to Austin amid aquifer concerns


A controversial Texas law meant to loosen city regulations is now at the heart of an unusual pivot as MileStone Community Builders pushes for stricter oversight in Austin.

The shift in approach comes after the Austin-based developer employed a new Texas law to de-annex 498 acres from the tiny city of Hays for its proposed Hays Commons development, at the corner of FM-1626 and SH-45, the Austin Business Journal reported. Now the developer wants the property to be annexed to the city of Austin in an effort to navigate environmental opposition.

The $500 million Hays Commons project would include 700 homes, 75,000 square feet of commercial space and a 160-acre conservation area. 

Under Texas’ de-annexation law, MileStone, led by president and CEO Garrett Martin, was able to remove the development site from Hays’ extraterritorial jurisdiction and proceed with the development under less restrictive county regulations. 

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However, after months of discussions and mounting pressure from residents and environmental stakeholders, the developer is pursuing annexation into Austin, citing the city’s more robust regulatory framework as a better means of addressing environmental concerns, especially those related to the Edwards Aquifer.

The key to annexation is a municipal utility district consent agreement, which would give Austin control over water and wastewater services and regulatory oversight of the project.

“On our side, we get utility service, a water and wastewater agreement out of the arrangement, and on the city side, they get all of the land use regulations, all the environmental protections,” Martin said.

However, environmental advocates are wary. Mike Clifford, technical director for the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, criticized the project’s density and its potential impact on water quality in the aquifer. 

“Extending services to Hays Commons would create an unprecedented high-density development over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, encourage development that follows the installation of water and sewer lines, and put residents’ water quality at risk with non-point source pollution,” Clifford said.

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While environmental concerns loom large, the development’s annexation proposal will soon be considered by Austin’s Planning Commission, with the City Council poised to make a final decision. If annexation is rejected, MileStone could proceed with the project under county standards, which could be less protective of the environment.

— Andrew Terrell

Read more

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Alton Butler requests de-annexation to propel Bastrop film studio 





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More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in high water, governor says – WTOP News

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More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in high water, governor says – WTOP News


AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in…

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in high water, governor says.

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© 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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Live updates: Flash Flood emergency in Kerr County as rain continues to pound Texas

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Live updates: Flash Flood emergency in Kerr County as rain continues to pound Texas


KERRVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Kerrville issued a shelter-in-place Thursday morning, with heavy rain causing reported evacuations early Thursday morning. A Flash Flood Warning is currently in place for Kerr County as the Guadalupe River continues to rise.

Around 5:30 a.m., the National Weather Service said a “large and deadly flood wave is moving down” the Guadalupe River.

KXAN First Warning Weather Meteorologist Kristen Currie said approximately 11 inches of rain have fallen northwest of Kerr County since 10 p.m. on Wednesday. The Guadalupe River is expected to reach major flood stage in multiple areas.

Kerr County PIO Lisa Walter said “there have been multiple swift water rescues and evacuations.” Officials emphasized not to drive through flooded streets and to turn around if water covers the roadway.

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Evacuations were underway in multiple areas, according to the county, including:

  • Goat Creek
  • Arcadia Loop
  • Lowery/Guadalupe area
  • Junction Highway low-water crossings
  • Other low-lying neighborhoods

Emergency shelters are open at Impact Church (Goat Creek evacuation point), Calvary Temple Church and City West Church for people in West Kerr County, the county said.

Here are the latest headlines:

Live updates

7:03 a.m.: KXAN’s Kevin Baskar is in Gillespie County providing updates on the latest flood conditions in the area. Watch his update below.

6:37 a.m.: Kerr County officials emphasized not to drive through flooded streets and to turn around if water covers the roadway.

Evacuations were underway in multiple areas, according to the county, including:

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  • Goat Creek
  • Arcadia Loop
  • Lowery/Guadalupe area
  • Junction Highway low-water crossings
  • Other low-lying neighborhoods

Emergency shelters are open at Impact Church (Goat Creek evacuation point), Calvary Temple Church and City West Church for people in West Kerr County, the county said.

6:27 a.m.: Video shows emergency crews hauling boats and rescue equipment through Kerrville.

6:15 a.m. NewsNation correspondent Xavier Walton and his photographer captured a structure being swept up in river water and crashing into a Kerrville bridge. The structure appears to be some sort of shipping container, pushing against the bridge.

Watch the video below:

6:08 a.m.: Kerr County PIO Lisa Walter confirms “there have been multiple swift water rescues and evacuations.”

6:02 a.m.: The Guadalupe River at Center Point is expected to crest at 35 feet, which is the same crest as July 4, 2025.

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5:57 a.m.: The National Weather Service said “a large deadly flood wave” is moving down the Guadalupe River.

5:49 a.m.: The Comfort Volunteer Fire Department said it has units in Kerrville and Centerpoint alerting people along the Guadalupe River. They’re helping Kerr County with evacuations along Highway 27 between Comfort and Centerpoint. They said all VFD personnel are OK.

5:30 a.m.: The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that it’s received reports of “street flooding in Ingram, and it’s likely many roads and city streets are flooded as well.”





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Austin Pets Alive! activates emergency response to assist shelters affected by flooding

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Austin Pets Alive! activates emergency response to assist shelters affected by flooding


AUSTIN (KXAN) — As flood threats continue across parts of South Central Texas, Austin Pets Alive! has activated emergency response efforts to support animal shelters affected by the inclement weather.

In a social media post, APA! wrote, “We began offering aid last night, working to secure fosters for 10 dogs in the Castroville shelter, an open-air shelter that sits at the bottom of a valley.” 

APA! said the situation escalated overnight with additional shelters reporting flooding. One shelter confirmed that floodwaters reached its facility, APA! added.

Communities overwhelmed due to weather include Uvalde, Castroville and Sabinal.

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The nonprofit is asking the Austin community to foster, adopt or donate to free up capacity for animals displaced by the disaster. APA! needs to clear out its facilities to assist the animals in need of shelter. 

Here are ways you can help: 

  • Adopt: APA! is offering a “Name Your Own Adoption Fee” on all animals. 
  • Foster: The shelter is seeking foster homes for a minimum of three weeks. 
  • Donate: Proceeds will fund vans and response teams setting up a staging and triage center at the heart of the disaster zone, along with an expanded stockpile of preventatives, PPE and additional supplies.

If you would like to donate, click here.





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