AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Environmental Commission is urging City Council to delay a key vote tied to the proposed Dog’s Head development, recommending additional environmental review and public oversight before moving forward with infrastructure financing for the project.

The commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to recommend delaying the City Council’s expected July 23 vote on creating a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) until January 2027 or later. The proposed TIRZ would help fund roads, bridges, drainage, and other public infrastructure for the more than 2,600-acre development in East Austin.

The recommendation also calls for a full environmental assessment, a 400-foot setback along the Colorado River, public ownership and access to parks and trails, continued involvement from city boards and commissions, and affordable housing serving households earning between 30% and 80% of the median family income.

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Environmental Commission Vice Chair Jennifer Bristol said the working group supports development of the property but wants stronger environmental protections.

“No one ever said this project, this piece of property, should be brought back to a pristine Garden of Eden and left intact. No, we recognize this will be developed, but our goal is to get it developed in the best way possible with protections for the environment and for the people.”

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Bristol said the working group found no environmental assessment had been completed before the project moved forward and criticized the city’s handling of the process.

“What we realized in our discussions was basically that it was a total system failure by the city of Austin and eroding public trust. The city of Austin chose to let in secrecy. They chose to ignore their own policies and procedures that are hard-fought and won.”

Bristol also raised concerns about one of the conceptual bridge connections discussed during a June 23 Travis County Commissioners Court briefing, saying it aligns with Platt Lane near the Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory, where she said 363 bird species have been recorded.

The commission’s vote came one day after Council Member Mike Siegel joined Mayor Kirk Watson, Mayor Pro Tem José “Chito” Vela and Council Member José Velásquez in proposing stronger Colorado River protections and dedicating a substantial portion of future TIRZ revenues to affordable housing.

In response to questions from CBS Austin, the City of Austin confirmed it did not require an environmental assessment before negotiations occurred.

The city also said, “A non-disclosure agreement was not used for negotiating the Development Agreement.”

Addressing concerns about transparency, the city said in a statement:

“The City of Austin values, champions and invests in community engagement. Understanding and building relationships with Austinites so they can have a say in their government is a critical priority, so we take these concerns very seriously.”

The city added that it views the project as “a generational opportunity” to bring amenities to the area while increasing environmental protections as the land is developed. It also said adjacent property owners will receive notice before the Planning Commission and City Council consider the project’s upcoming regulating plan.

City Council is expected to consider the proposed TIRZ on July 23.