The community forum was called by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra and will be held at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, 1042 Event Center Drive, Dripping Springs, from 7-9 p.m..
“Our office has been contacted by many folks who are concerned and opposed to the venue, and many of them requested a forum,” Becerra said in an email to Community Impact. “It is our goal to ensure they feel heard because they most certainly are.”
The background
Neighbors have been aware of the proposed venue for over a year now.
A wastewater permit was filed by the California-based developer Blizexas and has yet to be approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The permit is the only one filed for the developer so far.
In November 2022, a public hearing was held in regards to the permit, and residents asked questions and expressed concerns to a panel of TCEQ experts and Blizexas representatives, including project engineer Erin Banks and Bill LeClerc, director of real estate developments and investments at Lexor Investments, the parent company of Blizexas.
Since the meeting, neighbors in opposition of the venue as proposed have worked to have their voices heard. The coalition Stop Fitzhugh Concert Venue has grown since.
On July 17, neighbors worried about the safety impacts increased traffic would bring to the area wrote a letter to 20 elected officials in response to a traffic impact analysis submitted by the developer to the county in February 2022. The letter requested a new analysis be submitted by the developer and a safety audit be obtained of the road.
What’s next
A second public hearing on the outstanding wastewater permit, to be held at a date to be determined, will provide another opportunity for residents to express their concerns.
The future meeting will include a panel of experts from the TCEQ and Blizexas representatives. A decision won’t be made on the permit during the hearing, which is intended for public comment and questions.
The renderings of the venue can be found here. For more information on the coalition, visit www.stopfitzhughconcertvenue.com. For more information on permits submitted by Blizexas, visit www.tceq.texas.gov.
