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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
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…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 12, 2025
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 former member of the Planning Commission, filed the…
Elections • By Hunter Simmons • Feb 12, 2025
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…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Feb 11, 2025
Disability committee questions scooter safety amid improvements by Lime
Ongoing concerns over the safety of electric scooters and the issues they pose to Austin’s disabled community were front and center at a recent meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabilities. The meeting saw a presentation from e-scooter…
Transportation • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 11, 2025
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Zoning and Platting Commission recommends against historic zoning for Northwest Austin ranch
The Zoning and Platting Commission voted 7-3 to recommend against adding historic zoning to part of the site of the former Running Rope Ranch during a special called meeting on Feb. 6, with Chair Hank Smith abstaining due to a…
Preservation • By Miles Wall • Feb 11, 2025
City considers new STR rules requiring oversight from platforms
The city’s proposed overhaul of regulations for short-term rental properties could tighten licensing requirements, impose new restrictions on ownership, and shift enforcement responsibilities onto rental platforms. Members of City Council and the Planning Commission got a detailed look at the…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 10, 2025
Resource Management Commission recommends against proposed merge
Members of the Resource Management Commission voted unanimously to recommend against a resurrected proposal to merge the RMC with the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, or ZWAC, at a special called meeting on Feb. 3. In their resolution making the “no”…
City Hall • By Miles Wall • Feb 10, 2025
City needs up to eight permanent supportive housing projects per year to solve homeless housing
The city’s housing staff members acknowledge a need to accelerate the pace of new permanent supportive housing projects in the coming years to meet the long-term goal of 5,000 additional units over the next decade to address the long-term needs…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 7, 2025
Environmental Commission weighs Project Connect’s environmental impact and federal funding
In light of Donald Trump’s recent effort to freeze federal spending authorized by Congress – swiftly blocked by two federal judges – the question on every local policymaker’s mind is: What’s going to happen to all the local projects that…
Transit • By Lina Fisher • Feb 7, 2025
Austin's Sobering Center expands to increase rehab services
Travis County opened the Sobering Center in 2018 with a goal to reduce the congestion of the county’s jail and hospitals with folks who were publicly intoxicated. Instead, they would be sent to a quiet building downtown on Sabine Street.…