Citizens Unite Against Barton Creek Development

Jim Bob Moffett, Developer (Texas Monthly, 1990)

Jim Bob Moffett, Developer
Texas Monthly, 1990

1988

The Austin community is outraged by the massive 4000-acre proposed developed on Barton Creek by Jim Bob Moffett, which would become known as the Barton Creek Planned Unit Development (the PUD).

When Jim Bob Moffett proposed the Barton Creek PUD... people took a hard look at what could happen to Barton Creek. And the city staff basically had to admit that the rules in the existing city ordinances were not gonna be adequate to preserve the water quality.

— Joe Riddell, 2017

Aerial Map of Proposed PUD in Barton Creek Area

Aerial Map of Proposed PUD in Barton Creek Area
The Austin Chronicle
Advertisement paid for by Jim Bob Moffett in response to outcry against his development on Barton Creek

Advertisement paid for by Jim Bob Moffett in response to outcry against his development on Barton Creek
Austin American-Statesman, June 7, 1990

Supporting Documents

Related Events

A History of Environmental Threats

Barton Creek Blasting Not Advised
December 1964
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Building Codes Rarely Enforced
1967
1967 Austin City Code Creek Protections
Special Building Permits Undermine Creek Ordinance
Mid 1970s
Apartment Complex Looms over Barton Springs
Municipal Utility Districts Spur Development
1977-ongoing
Developers Influence Zoning
late 1970s-ongoing
Homes overlooking Barton Creek at Campbell's Hole
State Law Opens Loophole For Development
May 1987
Outskirts of Austin, 1986
Proposed Development On Barton Creek Sparks Outcry
1988
Jim Bob Moffett, Developer
Council Passes Weak Watershed Ordinance
1991
1991 Councilmembers Bob Larson, Charles Urdy, Ronney Reynolds, and Louise Epstein
Austin Bashing Law Passed
June 1999
The new law skirts development restrictions in Austin's most sensitive areas.
High Tech Plant Locates On Aquifer
2006

Related Events

A History of Grassroots Efforts

Citizens Favor Park And Ordinances
April 1970
Austin City Council Public Hearing, April 16, 1970
Petition For Barton Creek Park
April 1970
Petition Published by Citizens for a Barton Creek Park
Public Embraces Saving Barton Creek
1970s
Barton Creek, circa 1970
Anti Development Groups Organize
1978/79
Betty Brown, Zilker Park Posse
Environmental Groups Push Through Ordinance
April 1980
Trail Of Broken Promises
April 1981
Environmental Attorney Joe Riddell
Proposed Development On Barton Creek Sparks Outcry
1988
Jim Bob Moffett, Developer
All Night Hearing Unites Citizens Against PUD
June 1990
All-night hearing on proposed Barton Creek Planned Unit Development, 1990
Media Galvanizes Public Against Barton Creek PUD
June 1990
John Aielli, KUT Radio Personality
Provocative Activism Draws Attention
June 1990
Earth First! member photographs endangered birds on land slated for development
Save Our Springs Coalition Forms
August 1991
Environmental groups come together to present guidelines to protect Barton Springs and Barton Creek