Office zoning denied for historic home in Judges Hill neighborhood

Council closed the final chapter, for now, on the case of 1503 West Ave., a historic home in the Judges Hill neighborhood that wanted to be an office and failed. When all was said and done – this case has…

Barton Springs board allows SOS to contest Kyle water permit

Last December, when the City of Kyle filed an application to double its draw of water from the Barton Springs portion of the Edwards Aquifer, city officials may have been counting on the winter rains to dilute the inevitable opposition…

Council OKs creation of Comprehensive Plan panel

The city’s Comprehensive Plan took another step forward Thursday as City Council approved the creation of a Citizen’s Task Force.   The city has already received about 100 applications for the task force, which will consist of 21 to 29…

Austin Council moves forward with ban on texting while driving

The Council unanimously approved a resolution Thursday that would prohibit driving a car and texting on a mobile communications device. The ban also covers other mobile device activities that don’t include GPS maps and actually speaking on the phone. The…

Council approves controversial lease for Austin Studios building

Austin City Council voted 6-1 Thursday to approve the Austin Film Society’s long-term lease agreement with Soundcheck, a Nashville music rehearsal and production company that wants to sublease about 28,000 square feet at Austin Studios. Council Member Chris Riley, who…

Feds accuse Travis housing agency with mismanagement of funds

The Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC) is in trouble with federal authorities. An audit by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) accuses HATC of approving $4.1 million in transfers between federal and non-federal accounts, which is…

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Convention Center finds bright spot despite business downturn

If bad can be good, then the city’s convention business is probably as good as can be expected during an economic downturn that has hit the city and the nation. Council heard budget presentations on Wednesday morning from the Convention…

Audit shows nearly $300K in telecomm fees going astray

Local telecommunication service providers owe the City of Austin more than $283,000, according to a city audit report. That may not be enough to stave off property taxes and fee hikes, but its money the city sure could use.  …

Environmental Board recommends study of water fluoridation

Led by an environmental activist and a dentist, opponents of treating Austin’s drinking water with fluoride to fight tooth decay got a boost from the Environmental Board last week. Sometimes considered a fringe group, fluoride opponents have appeared before the…

City to investigate ‘alternative’ rail routes for future projects

The city continues to plan for alternative routes for current rail traffic through the area in order to accommodate future light rail and/or streetcar projects. The studies include alternatives to a Congress Avenue crossing over Lady Bird Lake, among other…

Travis grapples with domestic partnerships and health plans

Attempting to remedy “inequality” in the way the county processes open enrollment for domestic partnerships turned out to be a much more contentious task than Pct. 2 Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt had planned. Her item, which would allow domestic partners to…

Heat, recession move city to extend payment plans for utility customers

The city announced a program Monday afternoon to help people who have fallen behind on utility payments amid record summer temperatures.   Responding to concerns that customers would get disconnected this fall because they had run up such large bills…