Latest Headlines for Sunday, October 6

Housing and Planning Committee recommends City Council prioritize housing for seniors and people with disabilities

City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee voted Tuesday to recommend that Council adopt a resolution to explore prioritizing city-owned land for the development of housing for seniors and people with disabilities. The recommendation included exploring cooperative housing and community land…

SOS variance for aquifer development fails to win Environmental Commission support

A proposal to initiate an amendment to the Save Our Springs Ordinance to increase the allowable amount of impervious cover over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone failed to win the Environmental Commission’s support Wednesday. Impervious cover is any human-made surface…

Realtors join Broadnax in push to revamp city processes in favor of density

Real estate leaders and the city’s top executive see potential in the city’s recent slates of code changes for land use and building, but agreed that implementing those changes effectively will be what determines their success in addressing Austin’s rising…

Revised Thornton Road rezoning gets first reading approval

After a surprise change in the requested zoning, City Council approved on first reading a much smaller zoning change for a 4-acre site on Thornton Road in South Austin. The property sits in District 5, and Council Member Ryan Alter…

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Featured Collection: City Manager T.C. Broadnax

Broadnax considers service adjustments as ‘tough’ budget awaits

The Austin Monitor recently sat down with new Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax to discuss some of the more prominent issues facing city staff and City Council as he gets situated in his job. For the budget process as you’re going through…

City Council resolution requiring bollard installations at medical facilities could prevent future tragedies

Following a tragic accident at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center on Feb. 13, City Council responded in July by unanimously approving a resolution to enhance safety measures at medical facilities by requiring installation of bollards at entrances. This week,…

Residential substance abuse treatment program for women to open next fall

At its Tuesday meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court approved a $469,559 contract for a residential substance use treatment program for women, using the state’s opioid abatement funds. The contract is the first time an inpatient residential resource has been…

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Empire concert venue gets city dollars to buy land, plan expansion

City funds have helped to preserve another live music venue, with the Rally Austin economic development organization announcing Wednesday it had completed a deal to help Empire Control Room & Garage acquire all of the property it has used since…

TCSO officers stationed at Central Library

To alleviate pressure on library staff to respond to incidents at the Central Library, 10 officers from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office have been onboarded and cleared for stationing at the West César Chávez Street branch downtown. Officers serve in…

Rezoning of the Herb Bar is in question as it advances

The Herb Bar, which sits at the corner of West Mary and Eva streets in the Bouldin neighborhood, has been offering herbs and spices, plus a variety of potions, since 1986. However, the new owner of the historic property, which…

Downtown panelists look at options for equitable development as area grows

As downtown Austin continues to be transformed by a number of major infrastructure projects as well as real estate development, area stakeholders want to put in safeguards to prevent the city’s core from becoming inaccessible to artists, cultural groups and…

Austin Energy hopes new solar standard offer can scale up sorely needed local generation

Update 10:35 p.m. Oct. 2: On Monday, the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) approved an update to the city’s solar program after a quick discussion. As Austin Energy grapples with an electric future and unprecedented demands on the grid, the utility…

Ken Paxton sues Travis County for approving security funds for DA José Garza behind closed doors

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed another lawsuit against the Travis County Commissioners Court on Monday – this time over a $115,000 payment the court made to District Attorney José Garza’s office behind closed doors. The payment was approved during a…

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…