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ZAP disapproves of rezoning for cliffside condos

Should extreme topography influence whether or not to grant a rezoning? That was the main question the Zoning and Platting Commission wrestled with Tuesday over a request to rezone a property at 4833 Spicewood Springs Road to allow 20 condo…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 18, 2022

Police academy shows progress in adopting reforms

With a new cadet class set to begin in late March, the Austin Police Department and consultants are fine-tuning a curriculum that more closely aligns with the city’s reimagined public safety process. APD Chief Joseph Chacon updated City Council in…

Police • By Amy Smith • Feb 17, 2022

APH launches three phases of solicitations to increase homeless services

Austin Public Health is seeking partners in social services to help provide for the city’s unhoused community. This winter and spring, APH’s Health Equity and Community Engagement Division is working with the Homeless Strategy Division to release three phases of…

Public Health • By Willow Higgins • Feb 17, 2022

Multiple street closures proposed to upgrade drainage infrastructure

On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court presided over the public hearings about two proposed traffic restrictions – one five-day restriction on Priem Lane and monthlong restriction on Gregg Lane, both starting March 14. Both proposed closures relate to repairing…

Roads • By Seth Smalley • Feb 17, 2022

TipSheet: City Council, 2.17.22

Austin City Council will once again convene for its regular meeting at 10 a.m. Of note today is the fact that this is Council Member Chito Vela’s first official meeting as the representative of District 4. Everything else of note…

TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 17, 2022

Water utility chief answers questions about boil-water notice

Following an unexpected boil-water notice not related to a winter storm, Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros announced his resignation last week from a job he has held for nearly 15 years. Several City Council members took the opportunity to praise…

Water • By Jo Clifton • Feb 16, 2022

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Convention center's closure for expansion could trigger bond default

The city may not move forward with the next steps in the Austin Convention Center expansion until an agreement is reached with current holders to rework some terms of roughly $163 million in hotel bonds. A memo discussed at Monday’s…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 16, 2022

Animal Advisory Commission debates citywide microchip mandate

Members of Austin’s Animal Advisory Commission butted heads this past Monday over a proposal that would mandate the use of microchips for all pet owners in the city. Following a study by volunteer researchers at UT Austin, the commission’s microchip…

Austin • By Kali Bramble • Feb 16, 2022

Planning Commission OKs latest northwest downtown rezoning

The Planning Commission recommended approval last Tuesday of a rezoning to allow an office and residential building at 815 W. 11th St., adding to a list of developments planned for a sleepy, historic part of downtown. The change from Limited…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 15, 2022

Eureka Holdings right-of-way acquisition moves forward despite neighborhood objections

Homewood Heights residents took an unusual approach to resist development this past Tuesday, requesting that the Urban Transportation Commission reject a right-of-way vacation on an unmaintained and unused street. Despite concerns the vacation would reinforce hazardous traffic conditions, the commission…

Planning • By Kali Bramble • Feb 15, 2022

Tree division seeks to make enviro manual more user-friendly

The Environmental Criteria Manual, a book of rules used to help implement the city’s Land Development Code, hasn’t had a significant update in the past decade. But best practices for urban forestry have changed since then, and the manual is…

The Code • By Willow Higgins • Feb 15, 2022

Austin ISD paid hundreds of millions more than other districts in Texas' 'recapture' program

Lee esta historia en español. The Austin Independent School District is sending more taxpayer dollars than any other school system to the state’s so-called recapture program, a new study finds. The decades-old system, known commonly as Robin Hood, is meant to balance…

AISD • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Feb 15, 2022

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