Animal shelter provides report on vaccination rates and protocols

A Council committee heard a long-awaited report on the state of vaccinations at the city’s animal shelter Wednesday, but did little to quiet the concerns of some members of the Animal Advisory Commission and local animal-rights activists, who have criticized…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • May 6, 2010

Heritage Ordinance brings large trees protection, attention

The passage of Austin’s Heritage Tree Ordinance, according to city officials, has meant that large, existing trees finally are being considered as a factor in planning projects, the same way setbacks, impervious cover, and parking requirements have been regarded as…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • May 6, 2010

Planning Commission studies ‘group residential’ overlay near UT

The Planning Commission agreed last week, with some trepidation, to initiate a zoning amendment that would designate “group residential” as a conditional overlay for many neighborhoods surrounding the University of Texas.   When it comes to group residential, don’t think…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • May 5, 2010

Debate over shelter vaccinations heads to Council committee

The City Council Public Health and Human Services Committee will tackle the issue of animal vaccinations at the city’s Town Lake Animal Shelter (TLAC)—a topic that has become particularly sensitive over the last few months—as an outbreak of distemper among…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • May 5, 2010

Travis pass-through moves forward amidst 45 SW complaints

What could have been a routine item from Travis County commissioners on Tuesday turned into a lengthy discussion about the relative merits of road improvements along Brodie Lane and the future of State Highway 45 SW. Commissioners were set to…

Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • May 5, 2010

Commission hears emergency departments’ budget ‘wish lists’

The Public Safety Commission took its turn on the budget merry-go-round Monday when it received initial requests from all three of the city’s emergency services departments. The police offered up a wish list that amounted to $13 million in hoped…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 4, 2010

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe

City staff presents land use option to preserve open space

The city is moving closer to creating a new residential use that will allow for more flexibility when building single-family houses on environmentally sensitive land. The new use, should it gain Council approval, would be the result of a year-and-a-half-long…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • May 4, 2010

Off-leash policy moves forward, paving way for new dog parks

A draft policy to guide the establishment and use of off-leash dog areas in Austin could be ready by early next month. The proposed policy, being drafted by the city’s Off Leash Area Advisory Committee (OLAAC), will establish criteria for…

Uncategorized • By Laurel Chesky • May 3, 2010

Spelman looks for flexibility as taxi agreements head to finish line

The Council moved closer Thursday to extending the franchise agreements for Austin’s taxi cab firms, voting on second reading to renew them, with a third reading still to come. However, Council Member Bill Spelman remained a holdout, concerned about locking…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 3, 2010

Council postpones Los Comales rezoning to address legal issues

The owners of East Austin restaurant Los Comales will have to wait at least until May 13 to hear City Council’s decision on their rezoning application. The information city staff gathers on the case in the meantime, and the final…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • May 3, 2010

Council OKs historic zoning status for two properties rejected by ZAP

Two weeks after members of the Zoning and Platting Commission turned consideration of two homes in West Austin into a heated discussion about the pros and cons of historic zoning in the city, the City Council voted unanimously Thursday to…

Uncategorized • By Josh Rosenblatt • Apr 30, 2010

Austin Energy project on hold due to MBE/WBE concerns

The approval of a construction deal for Austin Energy’s new System Control Center has been put on hold thanks to Council concerns about minority business enterprise (MBE/WBE) involvement. The delay came as representatives of Hispanic and African-American contractors told the…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 30, 2010

« Previous Page — Next Page »