Muny update: the UT deal could change the rules for 190 acres next to the golf course

New reporting on the proposed Lions Municipal Golf Course deal gives more detail on what the University of Texas would get in exchange for giving the course to the city. The answer matters to more people than golfers. The same package could change the rules for land next to the course.

This follows our Oct. 24 story on the Muny deal, which covered the city's Oct. 14 announcement and a related lease near Mueller. Here is what has changed.

What's new

An Austin Current report republished Monday by KUT adds these details:

• The terms. UT has tentatively agreed to give the course to the city. In return, the university would receive a large gift from donors who have not been named, plus amendments to the 1989 Brackenridge Development Agreement. The report gives no dollar figure for the gift.
• The land next door. The Brackenridge agreement governs about 190 acres of UT-owned land beside Muny. According to the report, the amendments could change building height rules, environmental rules and development standards on that land.
• The current lease. UT owns the 141-acre course and has leased it to the city for nearly 90 years. The lease is now month-to-month.
• Questions. Researchers, environmental advocates and nearby residents told the outlet they want more information about what the amendments would allow before the public weighs in.

The report also recounts Mayor Kirk Watson's history with the course. He wrote in his Oct. 14 announcement that a 2009 consultant's plan would have built densely on the course. As a state senator, he later wrote SB 2553, which created the Save Historic Muny District.

The city's Oct. 14 release says the package would also include a proposed tax increment reinvestment zone and a regulating plan for development. Both would be written after a council vote and would come back to boards, commissions and the council in spring 2027.

What our records add

No council vote yet. Our records show no council vote on the transfer. The amended Brackenridge agreement is expected on the council's Nov. 19 agenda, according to the city. The draft agenda for Nov. 5, the council's next regular meeting, does not include it.

What the city spends on golf now. In a July 22 budget briefing, city budget staff said the golf fund supports six municipal courses, Lions among them, and has 48 positions. Council Member Zo Qadri asked for a breakdown of revenue by course. Staff said they did not have it at hand and would send it later. If the city takes ownership, Muny's operations would continue to run through that fund.

The Mueller piece. At the Oct. 21 Audit and Finance Committee, staff said the package will also amend an 11-acre lease near 51st Street, leased to UT in 2006 and still undeveloped, to allow housing and child care. That is in our earlier story.

Tax zones split this council. The proposed Brackenridge tax zone would be separate from the deal itself. The council's last vote creating a zone, for Dog's Head in July, passed 7-3. Our Dog's Head story covers that vote.

What's next

The amended Brackenridge agreement goes to the council on Nov. 19, according to the city. UT's Board of Regents must also act. The regulating plan and the tax zone would follow in 2027. Muny is in District 10, represented by Council Member Marc Duchen.