Proposed Austin, Texas, Mixed-Use Development Would Cover 4,000 Acres.

Byline: Stephen Scheibal

Oct. 4--Picture 1,400 homes. Up to 4,700 apartments. As much business space as six Lakeline Malls. All over enough land to hold nearly four downtown Austins.

A proposed deal between Stratus Properties and Austin could set the stage for a small city atop a 4,000-acre patchwork of open, rolling hills that many people would rather see left alone.

Stratus and the city have been outlining the agreement to officials, activists and neighborhood leaders this week, which will culminate with a City Council briefing Thursday. The deal would impose firm development regulations on the environmentally sensitive land and settle legal disputes over it. A council vote on the deal is probably at least two …