A series of Lake Austin-area properties are slated to exit the city's full jurisdiction under a new state law, following years of resident complaints over lacking public services and taxation.

The details: The roughly 150 properties total nearly $300 million in combined taxable value for the city, and will likely be followed by a wave of dozens more next year. Landowners are disannexing from Austin under a new state law, Senate Bill 1844, that went into effect this year to allow waterfront properties to leave cities if they aren't connected to public infrastructure services.

Affected residents said they've experienced lengthy 911 response times and problems connecting to Austin's water systems in recent years. Those issues come after a 2019 City Council vote to add Lake Austin-area tracts to the city's tax rolls in a reversal of a 1980s decision to exclude the land from taxation.

Residents may not see the proposed Fitzhugh Concert Venue come to fruition after three years of protest.

What’s happening: An entity established by The Shield-Ayres Foundation has entered into a contract with developer Blizexas LLC to purchase the property where the venue was slated to be built.

If the deal closes in January, Blizexas would withdraw its Texas Commission on Environmental Quality wastewater permit application that first prompted community concern back in late 2022.

A spokesperson with the TCEQ confirmed with Community Impact that Blizexas indicated they reached a tentative settlement and may withdraw their application.

Marshall Bowen of Shield Ranch said that while there are no plans for the property now, he knows the concert venue will not be built there.

How we got here: Neighbors first publicly gathered in November of 2022 to begin discussing concerns surrounding the proposed concert venue. Concerns included noise, traffic, light pollution and water pollution that community members believed the venue could cause.

Co-founded by Leg Gibbons and Marli Kimball Johnston, Integral Pilates is expected to bring a new fitness experience to the Southwest Austin community in the near future.

What they offer: Community members will be able to sign up for both reformer and mat classes. The mat room at the business features infrared walls creating an inviting and warm space paired with vibrant colors. Mat classes will have a capacity of 20-25 attendees at a time.

The equipment room contains six classic reformers and traditional pilates equipment as well as roll-up garage doors. As stated in a news release, the business plans to purchase additional pilates equipment such as pilates chairs, a cadillac and more once the space is a few months in service.

• 10030 Menchaca Road, Austin

Check out these businesses that are now open, coming soon or celebrating milestones near Dripping Springs. This list is not comprehensive.

Now open
The Learning Experience
The business offers programs for children from infancy to preschool, with curriculum varying by age group. The center focuses on hands-on learning activities with a play-based learning approach, as previously reported by Community Impact.

• Opened in October; Ribbon cutting Dec. 5
• 12400 Hwy. 290, Ste. 600, Austin

• 333 Hwy. 290, Ste. 437, Dripping Springs

Texas voters will see 18 statewide races on the ballot in 2026.

The overview: Texas will hold Republican and Democratic primary elections on March 3 to determine who will appear on the statewide ballot in November. Texas is one of 17 states with open primaries, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, meaning registered voters can cast their ballots in either primary and do not need to register with a specific party.

What to know: The 18 statewide races on the 2026 primary ballots are:

• U.S. Senate
• Governor
• Lieutenant governor
• Attorney general
• Comptroller of public accounts
• General land commissioner
• Agriculture commissioner
• Railroad commissioner
• Texas Supreme Court, chief justice
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 2
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 7
• Texas Supreme Court justice, Place 8
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 3
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 4
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge, Place 9
• 15th Court of Appeals, chief justice
• 15th Court of Appeals justice, Place 2
• 15th Court of Appeals justice, Place 3