ATX-BAS: Impact 10/6/2025

Bastrop city officials held a town hall Oct. 1 to gather feedback on the Crossings at 95 development.

Paradise Engineers is designing the project, which aims to build dozens of residential units and multiunit townhomes as well as a 4,000-square-foot restaurant, for Iron Realty, according to city documents.

Some background: The nearly 7.4-acre property at 2002 Hwy. 95, Bastrop, which is currently vacant, is east of the Public Works Department and south of the Bastrop Youth Baseball and Softball Organization’s fields.

Although developers don’t need a zoning change from an employment center to move forward with their current plans, they are seeking a planned development district designation to better partner with the city.

“A planned development district allows us to work with the developers to come up with designs and standards,” James Cowey, Bastrop’s director of development services, said during the meeting. “They can’t deviate from that design, and through this process, we can address drainage, access, traffic, etc.”

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties is seeking volunteers to support abused and neglected children. 

The details: These volunteers—members of the community who are trained and appointed by judges to represent children in court—are essential in helping those in foster care avoid homelessness, teen pregnancy, unemployment, substance abuse and more, according to CASA. 

“They get to know the children and everyone involved in their lives, such as their parents, family, foster parents, teachers and therapists, so that they can make informed recommendations to the court in their best interest,” Valerie Lancaster, director of development for CASA of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties, said in a news release. “They also work to make sure children can safely stay connected to their families and are surrounded by a network of supportive, caring adults.”

Here are the top trending Community Impact stories in the Austin metro from Sept. 29-Oct. 3.

1. New restaurant Grey Orchard to open in Round Rock

2. Nana B's Country Kitchen now serving comfort food in Round Rock

3. Jet's Pizza opens Round Rock shop near Old Settlers Boulevard

4. Texas Roadhouse to open in Leander this November

5. Austin ISD adopts lower tax rate for 2025-26, homeowners could see savings

6. Q&A: Meet 4 candidates for Pflugerville mayor

All Texas retailers are barred from selling consumable THC products to customers under 21 years old after the Texas Department of State Health Services adopted two emergency rules Oct. 3.

The details: The new rules, which took effect immediately, state that businesses may lose their hemp licenses for selling THC products to minors.

Ten days earlier, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission approved emergency rules prohibiting bars, liquor stores and other alcohol retailers from selling THC products to anyone under 21. A TABC spokesperson told Community Impact the two state agencies are working together to enforce a Sept. 10 executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott, who called for age restrictions on THC sales and tighter guardrails on the multibillion-dollar industry.

More context: Approximately 8,000 businesses are licensed by the DSHS to sell consumable hemp products in Texas, including some retailers that also sell alcohol.

The emergency rules from both agencies will be in effect for 120 days and could be extended for an additional 60 days while permanent regulations are drafted.