Vela plans resolution to prevent police from investigating abortion

In light of a likely U.S, Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision legalizing abortion, City Council Member Chito Vela is working on a resolution that tells Austin police they should not investigate or solicit information…

Ahead of Council vote, committee sculpts VMU2 proposal

City Council members at Tuesday’s Housing and Planning Committee meeting shared their latest thinking on proposed changes to Vertical Mixed-Use (VMU) zoning ahead of a vote on June 9.  Council Member Chito Vela outlined a new compromise to reduce compatibility…

City highlights resilience measures during Wildfire Awareness Month

The city of Austin is no stranger to irregular weather patterns, with some predicting that near-record May temperatures foreshadow an unusually hot and dry summer. With temperatures rising, staff members across a number of city departments are bolstering their defenses…

Real estate leaders, developers eye start of proposal process for convention center project

Leaders in Austin’s real estate and development community learned plenty about the planned expansion of the Austin Convention Center during a panel discussion last week, but they were left waiting as to when the contracts for design, engineering and contracting…

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Council eyes possible trimming, merging of some boards and commissions

City Council appears ready to take a comprehensive look at the makeup and purpose of the many boards and commissions currently advising Council on city policy, with the possibility of dissolving or merging some of the groups. At last week’s…

Sustainability office spearheading regional food plan

Austin’s Office of Sustainability is working on the city’s first-ever food plan – a coordinating structure that is designed to help bridge disparities in local food access in a sustainable way. While Austin’s food system includes state-of-the-art restaurants and groceries…

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Planning Commission supports VMU zoning for 51st Street property

The Planning Commission on May 24 endorsed Vertical-Mixed Use (VMU) zoning for a parcel along East 51st Street where a developer plans to build up to 249 residential units.  The rezoning concerns a 4-acre tract at 5525 E. 51st St.,…

A new Austin ISD superintendent won’t be hired until next summer

The Austin Independent School District will hire an interim superintendent for the next school year after Stephanie Elizalde leaves June 30. Elizalde has been named the lone finalist for the superintendent job in Dallas ISD. “After the interim superintendent is hired,…

Why your bus may be delayed and what Cap Metro is doing about it

As Covid-19 cases wane and people return to the office, bus ridership is back up to 65 percent of its pre-lockdown levels, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority said. But many folks who rely on the bus say delays and cancellations make…

City braces for imminent drought restrictions – and stiffer penalties for violators

The city of Austin likely will enter the first stage of its drought response plan later this month or next, triggering stricter restrictions and testing out recently updated penalties for customers who violate the rules.  Robert Goode, Austin Water’s interim…

Austin Water to announce pilot aquifer storage site by the end of next year

The city’s water utility is inching toward its goal to store 60,000 acre feet in underground potable water reserves by 2040, according to a briefing delivered to the Austin Water Oversight Committee on Wednesday.  The ambitious 20-year project will be…

Planning Commission nearly derails East Austin townhome project 

A townhome project requesting to build closer to single-family homes than typically allowed nearly fell through Tuesday, when the Planning Commission lacked enough votes to approve the requested variance.   The developer of the seven-unit project at 1400 Cedar Ave. originally…