How it became a park · April 1990 – January 1991
City of Austin Parkland Review: Key Records (1990–1991)
Austin's parkland reviewer required the deed, County acceptance, and recording before the plat could be approved — and Commissioner Heiligenstein's letter confirms the County "received and accepted" the land as park land.
Why it matters
Shows the park was a legal requirement of the subdivision, not a gift, and that the County told the City of Austin in writing that it had accepted the land.
- Source
- City of Austin Public Information Act production, subdivision case files C8-90-0040 and C8-90-0040.1A. This is an 11-page extract; the full case files are also available below. · ID N15
- File
- PDF · 11 pages · 6.7 MB · Open in a new tab · Download
- Start with
- p. 2 (Heiligenstein letter); pp. 3–4 (April 20, 1990 comments); pp. 5–6 (April 4, 1990 review)
In 1990 the land was in the City of Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, so Austin reviewed the Breakaway Park Section 3 subdivision alongside Williamson County. Austin’s parkland dedication ordinance required subdivisions to set aside parkland as a condition of approval.
April 4, 1990 review. Reviewer Bill Schoenemann calculates the requirement — 0.35 acres for 25 homes — and identifies the approved 7.38-acre tract as the land that will satisfy it. He requires a recorded deed to the County, a letter of acceptance from Commissioner Heiligenstein, and a title policy, and states the final plat “will not be approved” without them.
April 20, 1990 additional comments. After reading Williamson County’s own Commissioners Court records, the reviewer dictates the plat notes that became Notes 15 and 16, including: “Williamson County, Texas, is the owner of this approved parkland tract.”
January 11, 1991 letter. Commissioner Mike Heiligenstein writes to the City of Austin: “This to acknowledge that Williamson County has received and accepted a deed from Carolville, Ltd. for 7.38 acres of land … to be used as park land,” citing Commissioners Court minutes Volume 46, page 835.
Austin approved the plat the following month.