Wal-Mart Resolution - City of Sunset Valley

Resolution No. 071503

WHEREAS, the City of Sunset Valley has steadfastly maintained a long-standing policy to protect water quality to the best of its ability as 80% of its citizens currently draw their drinking water from the Edwards Aquifer;

WHEREAS, the Edwards Aquifer is also the source for the historic and beloved Barton Springs;

WHEREAS, the City of Sunset Valley is acutely aware of the irrefutable science that shows that increased development over the Edwards Aquifer has resulted in a steady degradation of water quality over the years as a direct result of this rapid development;

WHEREAS, the enormous impervious cover levels from so-called "big box" development over environmentally sensitive areas such as the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone only hasten the degradation process;

WHEREAS, the City of Sunset Valley has chosen to be proactive in protecting the Edwards Aquifer by passing a water quality ordinance in 2003, limiting impervious cover in its jurisdiction, thereby joining the City of Austin in protecting this precious and irreplaceable natural resource;

WHEREAS, the proposed "big box" developments planned by Wal-Mart at the corner of Slaughter and MoPac, and the Lowe's project in the area of Brodie Lane north of William Cannon could exceed impervious cover levels by three times the amount allowed by the Save Our Springs Ordinance, the City of Austin'­s renowned water quality ordinance.

WHEREAS, these projects as proposed are opposed by numerous neighborhood and environmental groups for environmental reasons as well as raising serious concerns about increased traffic, noise pollution, and light pollution.

WHEREAS, no Act of the Texas Legislature has limited or removed any city'­s constitutional and statutory authority to impose water quality regulations in circumstances where a plat application is pending in an extraterritorial jurisdiction;

NOW, THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUNSET VALLEY, TEXAS, THAT:

The City of Sunset Valley urges its governmental neighbors, the City of Austin, Travis County Commissioners Court and the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer District to enforce the SOS standards on all "big box" developments such as those proposed by Wal-Mart and Lowe'­s.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED

That the corporate leadership of Wal-Mart, Lowe'­s and other corporations looking to develop over the Edward'­s Aquifer become responsible corporate neighbors and voluntarily comply with the SOS standards and recognize that the Edwards Aquifer is an crucial natural resource and integral to the quality of life in Central Texas.

PASSED AND APPROVED this the 15th day of July, 2003.


_______________________ Cat Quintanilla Mayor Pro Tem

ATTEST:

__________________ Shanna Neubauer City Secretary