City Zones Land on Barton Creek

Homes overlooking Barton Creek at Campbell's Hole (Joe Riddell Personal Collection)

Homes overlooking Barton Creek at Campbell's Hole
Joe Riddell Personal Collection

late 1970s-ongoing

In spite of new stricter regulations, developers are often granted special permits and zoning changes to build their projects. The political system favors developers over environmental concerns.

We've got to protect Barton Springs. We've got to do it by limiting the amount of development in these sensitive watersheds and not granting exemptions to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who asks for them. We do that with Austin's future economic well-being fully in mind. It's not an environment versus jobs scenario that we're looking for.

— Helen Ballew, Environmental Activist

Austin American-Statesman, 1992

The City of Austin Grants Developer Tom Bradfield Zoning Changes on his Property, From Single Family Residence to Office/Retail
Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Zilker Park Posse Papers