Council approves ordinances to strengthen renters’ rights

City Council approved two ordinances Thursday enshrining the right of tenants to organize and to remedy lease violations prior to eviction.  As rents in Austin continue to rise, tenant advocates say the ordinances are increasingly necessary to help prevent eviction…

Housing • By Jonathan Lee • Oct 28, 2022

Council considers Colony Park TIRZ ahead of expected approval

City Council appears ready to move forward next week with the creation of a property tax mechanism that will bring more than $80 million over 20 years to the Colony Park development in East Austin. At Tuesday’s work session, staff…

Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 28, 2022

Council to close tenant relocation ordinance loophole

City Council approved a resolution requesting that staff review the tenant relocation ordinance and propose changes ensuring the protections apply to tenants at mobile home parks. The tenant relocation ordinance, which Council passed in 2016, requires that landlords provide notice…

City Council • By Nina Hernandez • Oct 28, 2022

Code change to allow housing on commercial properties

A code change that would allow housing on commercial properties got an initial hearing at the Planning Commission Tuesday. After some discussion, the commission postponed the item until Nov. 8 amid concern over a recommendation by city staffers to not allow…

Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Oct 27, 2022

County conducts mass prescription drug take-back event

Saturday is prescription drug take-back day across the United States. On Tuesday, county commissioners unanimously passed a proclamation recognizing the day across Travis County. Local constables are teaming up with the Drug Enforcement Administration to carry out the event. Residents…

Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Oct 27, 2022

What you should know about poll watchers as you prepare to vote

You may see people watching you cast your ballot this election season. Don’t worry, those people are poll watchers, and they’re supposed to be there. Poll watchers are party-appointed individuals who are supposed to act as the eyes and ears…

Elections • By Haya Panjwani, KUT • Oct 27, 2022

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TipSheet: Austin City Council, 10.27.22

With elections underway, a lot of local policy aficionados may be focused on other things. But not us! We’re tuning in to this week’s City Council meeting, as always, and taking a minute to preview the meeting for those who…

TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 27, 2022

Chief says city working hard to get more 911 employees

Reporting to City Council Tuesday, Police Chief Joseph Chacon stressed the department’s commitment to returning the number of 911 call takers and police dispatcher staff to normal levels as soon as possible. The city has attempted to address the vacancies,…

Police • By Jo Clifton • Oct 26, 2022

Real estate leaders put affordable housing bond under the lights

In summarizing the city’s many efforts and successes to preserve and create more affordable housing, Rosie Truelove offered a simple summary of what’s going on in one of the hottest real estate markets in the country. Speaking at last week’s…

Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 26, 2022

Flash Flood Alley could see some action on flood relief

In the wake of 2017’s Hurricane Harvey, the Texas Legislature directed the creation of a plan that could guide state and local flood control policy. Now the regional plan concerning Central Texas is getting close to the finish line.  Set for…

Public Safety • By Andrea Guzman • Oct 26, 2022

Staff unveils long-awaited Palm District draft plan

City staff members presented the draft version of the long-awaited Palm District Plan to the Environmental Commission last week. City Council commissioned the plan in 2019 as it sparred with Travis County over the future of the county-owned Palm School…

Planning • By Nina Hernandez • Oct 26, 2022

Anthony Bradshaw wants 'to see an Austin, Texas, that is successful'

On Oct. 18, KVUE and the Austin American-Statesman livestreamed a debate that included all six of the candidates running for mayor. The 90-minute affair included questions about Austin’s pressing issues – affordability, homelessness, policing and transit – as well as…

Elections • By Sean Saldaña • Oct 25, 2022

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