With Proposition 2 in the "Smart Growth" bond package proposal, Mayor Kirk Watson and the Austin City Council are hoping to preempt future zoning battles over environmentally sensitive land south and west of the city in a $65 million real estate buying spree. The environmental and business communities, historically unable to share common ground on managing Austin's growth, are jointly heralding the idea as a crucial step in protecting Austin's water quality into the next century. But like last year's annexation drive Phase 1 of Watson's plan to build a shining city on a hill, one which protects both its natural resources and central economic core purchasing greenspace for watershed protection means more shortterm financial strain for longterm benefits.Beginning today, NFL teams have until March 4 to place a franchise or transition tag on one of their prized free agents (the free agency signing period opens March 12). Players bearing the tags are guaranteed a predetermin