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Residents tell Hutto council water, drainage and high-density development threaten neighborhoods
Summary
Multiple residents during public comment urged the council to reconsider a proposed 257‑acre/111‑acre area buildout, citing traffic, drainage, floodplain updates and water supply shortages. Speakers asked the council to pause approvals until infrastructure and water issues are resolved.
Several Hutto residents used the public-comment portion of the April 17 meeting to press the council on growth, water supply and new floodplain mapping.
Tricia Palmer and Angela Boren, who identified themselves as residents of the Spring Valley neighborhood near East Wilco Highway and County Road 138, asked the council to reconsider a large proposed development that they said would be incompatible with local roads and the area’s water and drainage capacity. Palmer told council the scale of the proposal “is not growing responsibly and it’s not growing sustainably.” Boren said County Road 137 and East Wilco Highway “cannot possibly sustain a high density development,” and raised concerns about noise, light pollution and additional strain on water resources. She said customers of the Manville water system are already paying more to expand storage and that adding denser housing will create long‑term water supply pressures.
James Weaver told council that recently released draft flood maps increase the number of structures inside newly defined 100‑year floodplain areas and warned residents and lenders could face sudden flood‑insurance requirements once the maps are finalized. Weaver urged the council to pause approvals for new subdivisions until contours and drainage plans are reviewed to minimize creation of new floodplain areas.
Several speakers also criticized council policy and past development decisions. Kathleen Cook accused past council majorities of approving developer‑friendly arrangements that she said delayed infrastructure and led to higher utility bills; those allegations were made during public comment and attributed to Cook. Bridal Gail Weaver said the council is “denying” the water crisis by continuing to approve developments that could draw water service outside current Hutto service areas.
City staff and council did not take action during public comment. Council members acknowledged the concerns and noted subsequent agenda items dealing with development and infrastructure would be the appropriate place for technical discussion and staff follow‑up.
