Springdale Farms gets Council nod

Springdale Farms’ request to change its land use got a cautious first approval at City Council early Friday morning. The case, which has ignited debate over urban farms in East Austin once again, was approved on first reading in a vote of 5-1, with Council Member Laura Morrison voting in opposition and Council Member Bill Spelman absent. Morrison said that she was voting no with a “strong suggestion” that the two opposing sides get together and have a conversation — perhaps with city staff or a mediator — and work out the conflict. Because the change has a valid petition against it, at least six Council members will have to approve the change. And, as Council Member Mike Martinez pointed out, that (theoretical) approval is just the first step in the process. “They will still have to come back for a Conditional Use Permit, even should this happen to pass on all three readings at some point in the future,” said Martinez. “The conversation is not done and it’s still going to have to happen.”