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Latest Headlines for Sunday, February 16

Planning Commission hears complaints, offers amendments on new STR ordinance in marathon hearing

Over the course of more than three hours, the Planning Commission heard often rancorous public comments on a new ordinance that would regulate short-term rentals, then voted to recommend 11 of their own amendments to the ordinance at its regular…

How Trump’s federal funding freeze is beginning to affect Austin

On Jan. 31, a U.S. district judge granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Trump administration from implementing a slew of executive orders that would freeze federal funding programs that allow access to health care, housing, education and other basic…

Austin just made it illegal to park in bike lanes

Austin City Council has approved a rule making it illegal to park in a bike lane. Thursday’s unanimous vote means violators will be ticketed and fined. Fines could range from $50 to $300. Council Member Paige Ellis said several people…

front of City Hall

Evaluation will resume this month on proposal to consolidate and eliminate some boards and commissions

Discussions about a proposal from Council Member Ryan Alter to revamp the city’s citizen advisory boards are set to continue. In a City Council Message Board post on Wednesday, Alter provided an update on his December resolution (which Council unanimously…

Featured Collection: November 2024 elections

After shutting off mental health care for Austin musicians, SIMS Foundation restarts services

The SIMS Foundation, which has provided low-cost and free mental health care to Austin musicians for decades, is connecting clients to services again after a three-month pause. SIMS Foundation CEO Derrick Lesnau said the organization reached its fundraising goal of a…

Panelists explore AI's growing role in Austin's economy and policy space

With artificial intelligence quickly penetrating more facets of public and private life every day, policymakers and technology observers in Austin want the city to take advantage of the opportunities presented by AI while also safeguarding against the potential threats from…

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Council-initiated Dessau Road rezoning for nonprofit office to be returned with dueling recommendations

A rezoning initiated by City Council on two properties that local nonprofit Foster Village plans to use for office space will come back with dueling recommendations from the Planning Department and the Zoning and Platting Commission after the latter voted…

TipSheet: Austin City Council 2.13.25

Today, the Austin City Council will convene for a regular meeting with a manageable agenda that has some issues worth diving into. As usual, we’ve taken a minute to highlight those issues and, as usual, the whole agenda and backup…

A streamlined approach to infill housing is set for Council action

City Council members received a preview Tuesday of a proposed infill ordinance, or “site plan lite,” aimed at streamlining the approval process for small-scale residential projects. The proposed ordinance on Thursday’s agenda would apply to developments of five to 16…

Council vote could help secure tax credits for seven projects with affordable units

On Thursday, City Council will consider resolutions of support for seven affordable housing developments seeking funding through the state’s 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. If approved, items 16-22 on the agenda will be included in developers’ applications…

front of City Hall

Austin's Ethics Review Commission dismisses complaints against Siegel and Faddis without prejudice

Two complaints about alleged campaign finance violations were dropped at a special called meeting of the city’s Ethics Review Commission, but they could be filed again in the future. Adam Haynes, a member of the Planning Commission, filed the complaints,…

City releases short list for 2025 Heritage Preservation Grant

Bids for the city’s Heritage Preservation Grant are in, and staffers are circling in on the lucky landmarks deemed worthy to snag a slice of the pie. Heritage Tourism Division Manager Melissa Alvarado stopped by last week’s meeting of the…

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Nonprofit spotlight: Four questions for American Gateways

American Gateways ensures access to the justice system for low-income immigrants. We serve 23 counties in Central Texas and provide high-quality legal representation and accurate information about what is happening in our immigration system. What is the mission of American…