Garza Tract gets its limits

On Thursday, City Council members tied up the loose strings on the Garza Tract and approved a final trip limit with much less drama than when it heard the case last week. This time, Council voted 7-4 to approve a 13,000 gross daily trip limit for the development, which is less than the 13,000 net trips that were approved on first reading. Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo and Council Members Delia Garza, Ann Kitchen and Leslie Pool voted in opposition. Council also added a restrictive covenant on the tract that places a gate at Ben Garza Lane. Largely, though, Council members reiterated the positions they had stated during previous discussions. Council Member Sheri Gallo said, “The citizens of Austin have complained about and asked for more predictability in our city government decision.” Council Member Greg Casar, who voted against a similar “motion” when it was considered for first reading, explained his position. “I think this case is an example of how business should not be done here at City Hall,” said Casar. “That being said, we are stuck in the position that we’re now in. … Let’s move on, and I will do what is in my power in the future to make sure that this isn’t the way that business is done, especially in environmentally or socially vulnerable areas.”