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Council approves call for better coordination, planning among downtown projects

The city hopes to bring coordination to the many high-profile projects taking over downtown Austin in the coming years, with the city manager charged with determining the budgetary and planning resources needed throughout the district. On Thursday, City Council approved…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 18, 2025

Austin ISD announces hiring freeze as budget deficit grows to $110 million

Lee esta historia en español Austin ISD will institute a districtwide hiring freeze on March 1 as the school district tries to claw its way out of a financial hole that has grown deeper since the 2024-25 budget was approved in…

Budget • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Feb 18, 2025

Burnet Middle School on track for head-to-toe modernization project

A major glow-up is on the horizon for Burnet Middle School, with plans for a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility poised to break ground this summer. The Historic Landmark Commission got a rundown on the $158 million project last week when a…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Feb 18, 2025

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…

Housing • By Miles Wall • Feb 14, 2025

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 • By Lina Fisher • Feb 14, 2025

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…

Transportation • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Feb 14, 2025

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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…

City Hall • By Mina Shekarchi • Feb 14, 2025

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…

Public Health • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Feb 13, 2025

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…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 13, 2025

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…

Zoning • By Miles Wall • Feb 13, 2025

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…

TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 13, 2025

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…

Land Development Code • By Amy Smith • Feb 12, 2025

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