Council considers overnight concrete pour exceptions for South Congress HEB project

Among last week’s packed agenda, City Council debated a resolution that would grant the HEB redevelopment at Oltorf & South Congress a permit to pour concrete overnight. The project, which aims to open a new grocery by 2024, has the distinct…

Watch our District 1 City Council forum

On Monday, three of the four candidates vying for the District 1 City Council seat participated in a forum hosted by KUT and the Austin Monitor. You can watch the forum, which was hosted by KUT’s Haya Panjwani, below. Joining…

Campaign finance reports show who’s got the money

With less than a month to go before Election Day, the latest campaign finance reports show that in the mayor’s race, former senator and mayor Kirk Watson continues to outraise his opponents by large margins. According to records filed Tuesday,…

Planning Commission fails to recommend historic zoning for downtown tower

The Planning Commission did not have enough votes last Tuesday to recommend historic zoning for the Westgate Tower at 1122 Colorado St., as some members of the commission challenged the idea of giving tax breaks to downtown condo owners.  Commissioners…

Lady Bird Lake has looked kind of junky lately. Here's why.

It’s hard to think of a location more beloved to the people of Austin than Lady Bird Lake, often called the crown jewel of the city. Thousands of joggers, picnickers and kayakers flock to its shores every day to commune…

Starting next month, Austin Energy customers can expect a $15 increase on bills

Lee esta historia en Español If you’re an Austin Energy customer, your bill is going up soon, but City Council members passed a proposal Thursday to lower some increases – at least for now. On an 7-4 vote, Council members…

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District 8 City Council candidates chat with the 'Monitor'

Four years ago, Southwest Austin’s District 8 selected the progressive yet pragmatic Paige Ellis as its City Council representative. In November, voters will decide whether to continue Ellis’ leadership on the dais. The incumbent faces three community advocates who each…

Council puts off making environmental code changes

City Council opted Thursday to postpone a decision on changes to the city’s environmental regulations related to drainage, landscape and site plan requirements. Staff and environmentalists argue the changes are important updates to regulations related to stormwater drainage, wastewater infrastructure,…

City seeks applicants to help craft five-year food system plan

The city has opened its application process for members of the advisory committee that will help the Office of Sustainability draft a comprehensive food plan for the city, with the goal of addressing food insecurity for vulnerable Austin residents. The Community…

Planning Commission recommends enviro code updates with caveats

The Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously recommended that City Council approve only certain elements of a package of code updates aimed at making new development more environmentally friendly, and suggested Council retool or delay adoption of other elements. The complex…

Unpermitted demolition stokes existential crisis at Historic Landmark Commission

Frustration was palpable at last week’s meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission, with yet another unpermitted demolition garnering little fanfare outside the Historic Preservation Office. The vacant lot at 4008 N. Lamar, once home to a 1926 residence converted for…

Report raises questions about campaign loan for District 9 candidate

Kym Olson has received little media attention since late August, when she designated a treasurer for her campaign for the District 9 seat on Austin City Council. Olson, who serves in the Texas State Guard as a protocol officer and…