'Dream City' prompts council concern

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin City Council is rethinking the city's land development appeals process Thursday. The future construction of a 1,000-seat outdoor ampitheater, dubbed “Dream City” in southwest Austin, has sparked neighbors' and the council's concern.

City Council member Laura Morrison crafted the resolution that could better evaluate administrative appeals when it comes to developments like the project by PromiseLand West church. Her request for Thursday's legal briefing during executive session came after neighborhood leaders started speaking with the city.

People living in the nearby residential area worry about noise and traffic problems.

Morrison now wants to know how such a development came about with virtually no public input, as she sees possible problems and inconsistencies with the process.

The big issue: whether the church should have been required to apply for a sound permit. The same rules technically do not apply to entertainment and religious groups.

Three subdivisions surround the site on U.S. Highway 71. The ampitheater is the first part of the church's $25 million, 53-acre campus slated for construction.