Hutto council agrees to work with ATX Capital on ATX Legacy Park; directs wastewater service talks, joint outreach to Jonah on water

HUTTO, Texas — The Hutto City Council voted unanimously Thursday to move forward with the proposed ATX Legacy Park project by directing city staff to negotiate a voluntary annexation and development agreement, provide city wastewater service, and jointly pursue a solution with Jonah Water for potable supply.

Council members said the motion is intended to keep the project on a path that would make urban-style mixed use possible while preserving the council’s standing with the regional water provider. Amanda Brown, a consultant for the project, told the council the site is already included in earlier Hutto water planning and that a City of Hutto water line runs directly in front of the property.

“We would like to fully annex into the City Of Hutto,” Brown said. “The land is not under contract. The developers of this land currently own it, and it will be developed one way or another.”

Why it matters: The proposed development spans roughly 94 acres north of Limmer Loop and was presented to council as a mixed-use plan that would include residential, commercial and industrial blocks and a dedication for the future Limmer Loop extension. Council members raised concerns about potable supply because the site falls inside Jonah Water’s certified service area. Developers presented a “plan B” that would rely on an on‑site wastewater treatment plant and a different water approach if annexation and connection to Hutto water were not achievable.

Council action and direction: Councilmember Clark moved — and Councilmember Porterfield seconded — a motion directing staff to negotiate a voluntary annexation/development agreement and provide wastewater service to the site; the motion also asked that staff and council work with Jonah Water and the developer to pursue a potable water solution and report back, with a target of achieving a solution by the end of 2026. The motion passed 7-0.

Councilmembers and city staff stressed the vote was a procedural step to enable further technical work, not final approval of any zoning or contract. Assistant City Manager Matt Winooski and City Engineer Matt Richter will coordinate with the developer’s team and Jonah Water on utility, right-of-way and transportation issues. The developer’s representative, Jorge Kanavati, told council the proposal could be reconfigured toward more industrial uses if a full Hutto water allocation is not reachable; industrial uses would require fewer LUEs (land-use-equivalents) than the mixed-use scenario.

The council asked staff to prioritize a path that would avoid an adversarial stance with Jonah Water and to explore interim or phased solutions — including dedicating right-of-way for Limmer Loop and constructing key local streets — that would let development proceed while potable supply is resolved.

Next steps: Staff will draft the voluntary annexation/development agreement and pursue coordinated talks with Jonah Water; the council requested updates as discussions with Jonah progress and asked staff to return to council if negotiations reach an impasse or a firm timetable is established.

Ending: Councilmembers framed Thursday’s vote as a way to keep options open without prejudging Jonah Water’s final position: the motion authorizes staff to seek a negotiated path that would enable the project to advance while trying to protect Hutto’s long-term utility interests.