Austin's Prop P passes; 100 acres of South Austin land to be released from city oversight

Updated 10:59 a.m. Nov. 6

About 100 acres of land in South Austin covering a developing entertainment district along Menchaca Road will be released from the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ, based on unofficial election results.

Austin's Proposition P, the ETJ removal measure, finished with seven votes in favor and three against. Once official, the properties would no longer be subject to city environmental and development rules.

Developer James Stinson of Austin NNN petitioned for the ETJ removal under a new state law that's been widely used around Austin's outer limits since it went into effect. Under the law, a majority of property owners in a targeted area must approve the release.

Stinson said leaving Austin's regulations for unincorporated Travis County could streamline the development of a new pedestrian trail linking several venues in the growing district. He said the update was inspired by pedestrian safety issues in the area.

"With the ETJ status behind us this area can now get back to permitting an [Americans with Disabilities Act] pedestrian path. We expect to open the trail in mid-summer of 2025," Stinson said via text.

Following the update, Stinson also said he's now labeling the entertainment district area as "Music City" to reflect the musical influence of its local businesses and Austin's official motto.

All results are unofficial until canvassed. Visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide/election-results to see results from all local elections in your community.

Posted Nov. 5, 7:52 p.m.

Voters representing a small pocket of South Austin's extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ—areas outside city limits where some of Austin's development and environmental regulations are in effect—may decide to remove their property from city oversight.

The big picture

Austin's Proposition P, which ended up as the lone ballot item from the city in the November general election, would officially remove about 100 acres of land along Menchaca Road from Austin's ETJ. Only property owners in the targeted area are allowed to vote on the measure, under a process laid out in a new state law intended to streamline ETJ removal that's gained traction around Austin's fringes in the past year.

Proposition P could be headed for passage // failure this fall, based on early voting results released Nov. 5. The ETJ removal measure had six early votes for and three against, before any Election Day results were tallied.

All results are unofficial until canvassed. Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide/election-results to see results from all local elections in your community.

The context

Developer and property owner James Stinson of Austin NNN petitioned for the removal of the dozens of acres of land around Menchaca, Old Menchaca Road and Lynbrook and Allred drives.Stinson previously told Community Impact he made the move to help facilitate the construction of a new trail through the area to improve pedestrian safety and drive foot traffic away from the Menchaca corridor. The pathway is part of into his broader plans to build out a dining and entertainment district in South Austin.

Although much of the trail would be located outside of Austin if the proposition is approved, the city's development services office said staff have had preliminary talks about the project within city limits and the ETJ and that some city oversight could be required around its northern and southern ends.

Separately, Stinson also said a zoning case in progress along Allred Drive could clear the way for several future commercial additions in the growing district.