Circle C Ranch (also known as Circle C) is a large master-planned community in southwest Austin, Texas, USA. Development of Circle C Ranch began in 1982, with the first homes in the community in built in 1986. During development, the subdivision was featured prominently in a long and contentious environmental legal battle regarding urban development in the vicinity of Barton Springs and over Edwards Aquifer. The controversy surrounding its development and later annexation by the city of Austin was a landmark in municipal annexation rights in Texas. Today, Circle C Ranch includes more than 5,620 homes.

Circle C Ranch
Map
Map of Circle C Ranch in Southwest Austin
Circle C Ranch is located in Texas
Circle C Ranch
Circle C Ranch
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 30°11′15″N 97°53′27″W / 30.18750°N 97.89083°W / 30.18750; -97.89083
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyTravis
CityAustin
Developed1983
Founded byGary Bradley
Area
 • Total
7.244 sq mi (18.76 km2)
Population
 • Total
15,197
 • Density1,826/sq mi (705/km2)
Time zoneUTC−06:00 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−05:00 (CDT)
Zip code
78739
Area code512
Websitewww.circlecranch.com

History

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View of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, located in the eastern portions of Circle C Ranch

Development of Circle C Ranch began in 1982 when Gary Bradley, at the time a part-owner of the Schlotzsky's restaurant chain, and his development partners began to earn development permits and acquire land in southwest Austin, Texas. However, several local environmentalist groups including the Save Our Springs Alliance (SOS) were strongly opposed to the development due to the subdivision's planned location over the recharge zone of the Edwards Aquifer. Despite the strong opposition, the first homes in Circle C were built in 1986. In 1988, the Save Barton Creek Association filed a lawsuit against the Texas Highway Department in order to stop the extension of Texas State Highway Loop 1 into southwest Austin and to halt further development of Circle C Ranch. However, the subdivision's homeowner association was able to defend its rights to the land, and thus development continued.[1]

By 1990, Circle C Ranch was considered the top selling subdivision in Central Texas. However, in the same year, the Gibraltar Savings and Loan bank based in California failed to pay off its debts, and all of its assets were transferred; at the time, this was one of the largest insolvencies in American history. Since the savings and loan company was the source for much of the money and resources involved in the development of Circle C Ranch, the subdivision went bankrupt and entered Chapter 11 reorganization status; reorganization was completed in 1992. Over the following years, several ordinances and lawsuits were filed in relation to Circle C Ranch and its environmental implications, resulting in the creation of the Southwest Travis County Water and Reclamation District in 1996 and the Slaughter Creek Water Protection Zone the following year. However, both the water district and protection zone were found unconstitutional because they were located within the City of Austin's extraterritorial jurisdiction and conflicted with the City's powers.[2] On December 18, 1997, Circle C Ranch was involuntarily annexed by the City of Austin after roughly 15 years of development.[1]

Schools

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All of Circle C Ranch is served by the Austin Independent School District. Portions of the Avaña section in Hays County are located in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, but students there are allowed to attend AISD schools.[3]

Circle C Ranch Zoned Public Schools
School District Established Principal Enrollment Coordinates Notes
Bear Creek Elementary Austin ISD 2020 David Crissey 603 30°10′16.13″N 97°54′36.24″W / 30.1711472°N 97.9100667°W / 30.1711472; -97.9100667 [4]
Clayton Elementary Austin ISD 2006 Karen McCollum 718 30°11′42.24″N 97°54′23.51″W / 30.1950667°N 97.9065306°W / 30.1950667; -97.9065306 [5][6][7]
Kiker Elementary Austin ISD 1992 Cory Matheny 789 30°11′29.59″N 97°52′53.49″W / 30.1915528°N 97.8815250°W / 30.1915528; -97.8815250 [8][9]
Mills Elementary Austin ISD 1997 Angela Frageman 776 30°12′39.52″N 97°52′41.62″W / 30.2109778°N 97.8782278°W / 30.2109778; -97.8782278 [10]
Gorzycki Middle Austin ISD 2009 Cathryn Mitchell 1,286 30°12′51.84″N 97°53′30.86″W / 30.2144000°N 97.8919056°W / 30.2144000; -97.8919056 [11]
Bowie High Austin ISD 1988 Mark Robinson 2,782 30°11′13.44″N 97°51′31.44″W / 30.1870667°N 97.8587333°W / 30.1870667; -97.8587333 [12]
Carpenter Hill Elementary Hays CISD 2010 Ginger Bordeau 606 30°5′48.85″N 97°53′47.77″W / 30.0969028°N 97.8966028°W / 30.0969028; -97.8966028 [13][14][15]
Dahlstrom Middle Hays CISD 1985 Dedrah Ginn 955 30°5′51.69″N 97°52′55.08″W / 30.0976917°N 97.8819667°W / 30.0976917; -97.8819667 [16][17][18]
Johnson High Hays CISD 2019 Brett Miksch 2,452 30°5′57.29″N 97°53′33.37″W / 30.0992472°N 97.8926028°W / 30.0992472; -97.8926028 [19][20][21]
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The reality television series Welcome to the Neighborhood was set in Circle C Ranch, in which five families competed to win a house in the neighborhood.[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b Fontenot, Kelli (September 27, 2012). "Circle C Ranch". Community Impact. Austin, Texas. Community Impact Newspaper. Archived from the original on 14 September 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  2. ^ Southwest Travis County Water District v. City of Austin, 03-97-00736-CV (Supreme Court of Texas 2000-02-10).
  3. ^ "2022-23 School Zone Finder". Austin ISD. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Bear Creek Elementary School". Austin ISD. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  5. ^ "Clayton Elementary School". AISD Elementary Schools. Austin, Texas: Austin Independent School District. May 24, 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  6. ^ Clayton Elementary School. "Clayton History". Clayton Elementary School. Austin, Texas: School in Sites. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  7. ^ SchoolDigger. "Clayton Elementary School". SchoolDigger. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  8. ^ "Kiker Elementary School". AISD Elementary Schools. Austin, Texas: Austin Independent School District. May 24, 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  9. ^ SchoolDigger. "Kiker Elementary School". SchoolDigger. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  10. ^ Mills Elementary School (6 February 2017). "Mills Elementary School". Austin, Texas: Austin Independent School District. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  11. ^ Gorzycki Middle School (6 February 2017). "Gorzycki Middle School". Austin, Texas: Austin Independent School District. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  12. ^ Bowie High School (6 February 2017). "Bowie High School". Austin, Texas: Austin Independent School District. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  13. ^ "Administration / Principal's Message". Hays CISD. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  14. ^ "2021-22 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR)". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  15. ^ "Carpenter Hill Elementary School Building Overview" (PDF). Hays CISD. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  16. ^ "About Our School / School History". Hays CISD. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  17. ^ "Administration / Principal's Message". Hays CISD. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  18. ^ "2021-22 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR)". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  19. ^ "Administration / Principal's Message". Hays CISD. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  20. ^ "2021-22 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR)". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  21. ^ "Our District / Johnson High School". Hays CISD. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  22. ^ Gillette, Felix (July 14, 2005). "In This Neighborhood, Reality TV Falls Short". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2022.

Sources

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30°11′49″N 97°54′14″W / 30.197°N 97.904°W / 30.197; -97.904