IMMEDIATE CALL TO ACTION: ⁠⠀

It is with great disappointment that, over the last six months, the Stagecoach Ranch Road community has requested proper public process to address its concerns to the Commissioners' Court about the proposed BenTree RV trailer park in Precinct Three, only to recently learn of its scheduled EXCEPTION to be discussed on December 3, 2019.

Our community views this unfair, inappropriate and inconsistent with properly representing the legitimate needs and concerns of the community’s citizens to have the county schedule this agenda item with little advance notice, immediately following one of the busiest holidays of the year.⠀

The Bentree RV trailer park proposed development’s main goal is maximum density for maximum profit, and its tactic is to push the limits of weak county regulations and place the environment at risk.

The proposed EXCEPTION from platting requirements fails to serve the public good and will do harm.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please consider attending the Travis County Commissioner's Court Meeting on Dec. 3 to show your support, voice opposition or stand in solidarity with those opposing the EXCEPTION of the Bentree RV trailer park development. ⁠⠀

IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FOLLOWING LETTER OF OPPOSITION AND SEND IT ASAP!

To:

Sarah.Eckhardt@traviscountytx.gov, Jeffrey.Travillion@traviscountytx.gov,, Brigid.Shea@traviscountytx.gov,Gerald.Daugherty@traviscountytx.gov, Margaret.Gomez@traviscountytx.gov

CC:peter.einhorn@traviscountytx.gov , Bob.Moore@traviscountytx.gov, Anna.Bowlin@traviscountytx.gov

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RE: December 3, 2019 Commissioners Court Agenda Item #28

Proposed BenTree RV Trailer Park in Precinct Three

Project No. 19-22545

Honorable Judge Eckhardt and Travis County Commissioners:

I am writing to express my strong opposition to an exception from platting requirements for the Bentree RV Trailer Park being discussed at your December 3, 2019 meeting; Agenda Item #28.



This proposed RV trailer park, with a density of 80 pads on 10 pristine acres uphill Hamilton Pool, raises urgent traffic, engineering, safety, and wildfire risk concerns for residential community stakeholders. In addition, it compromises the fragile integrity of the Hamilton Creek ecosystem and Hamilton Pool. It pushes the limits of what the land can sustain.

I urge all stakeholders to take all necessary steps to protect the water quality of Hamilton Pool from current and future threats of contamination and to preserve its natural beauty for generations to come.

Hamilton Pool is sacred place and the center of many family stories in Central Texas; visitors come from countries all over the world to experience this unique feature of the Hill Country. Not only is it stunningly beautiful but it holds 8,000 years of cultural history for the families of Central Texas.

More than 22,000 people are alarmed by this dense development uphill from Hamilton Pool. They have signed a petition to express concern and voice opposition for the following obvious reasons.

The developers of the Bentree RV proposed trailer park designed their park with no input from local residents and no regard for the well-being of the environmental features of the area, including Hamilton Pool, the creek that leads to it, and the surrounding parkland maintained by Travis County. The proposed development’s main goal is maximum density for maximum profit, and its tactic is to push the limits of weak county regulations and place the environment at risk. The proposed exception from platting requirements fails to serve the public good and will do harm.

The proposed development will directly threaten public safety of the Stagecoach Ranch community, other residents on the long two-lane stretch of Hamilton Pool Road, all visitors to Hamilton Pool Preserve, and everyone who drives on Hamilton Pool Road.

I urge you to preserve and protect our environment and public natural resources through responsible land stewardship. Once compromised, some things cannot be recovered!

Please advocate for your community stakeholders by preserving the environmental integrity of Hamilton Pool for generations to come. ⠀

Sincerely,

(your name)

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Please consider donating to protect Hamilton Pool from proposed nearby commercial development. Every dollar will go towards land conservation in the Hamilton Pool watershed. Donate to our GoFundMe campaign.

Help us to permanently protect Hamilton Pool from environmentally damaging development so Hamilton Pool and the Pedernales River area can be enjoyed by future generations.

RISKS OF PROPOSED RV PARKING DEVELOPMENT:

Groundwater contamination from large septic systems upstream from Hamilton Pool

Groundwater pumping that can reduce flows into Hamilton Pool

Surface runoff into Hamilton Pool (oil, gas, chemicals)

Loss of habitat for the federally endangered Golden-Cheeked Warbler

Increased traffic, light, and noise pollution

Complications to emergency services access

For more information, visit www.SaveHamiltonPool.org

To donate directly to this grassroots movement, please visit our direct link to our account: GoFundMe Save Hamilton Pool Please donate to protect Hill Country land from being commercially developed to preserve Hamilton Pool for future generations. Please note, we are not a tax-deductible entity.

(Note: We are not fiscally affiliated with Change.org and will not receive your donation if you donate to to Change.org. Please visit our GoFundMe account if you want to support us directly. Thank you)