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City seeks to separate forensics lab from APD while complying with state law

It’s never too soon to talk about the 2023 city budget, especially as it relates to the Austin Police Department and the divisions that were separated out from under APD before the state Legislature penalized cities for thinking outside the…

Public Safety • By Amy Smith • Feb 8, 2022

Election officials say Texas' new ID rules for voting by mail could cause more ballots to get rejected

Lee esta historia en español. More people’s mail-in ballots could be rejected in the March primary because of Texas’ new ID matching requirement, local election officials say. The requirement is part of Texas’ new voting law, Senate Bill 1. A provision…

Elections • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Feb 8, 2022

Landmark commission weighs case for preserving former home of 'Statesman' editor

A case to preserve the former home of Austin American-Statesman editor Charles E. Green hit the desks of the Historic Landmark Commission this past Monday, and not for the first time. An application to demolish the building at 1505 Forest…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Feb 8, 2022

Vela sworn in as District 4 Council member

José “Chito” Vela, who won the election to become the second City Council member for District 4 on Jan. 25, was sworn in Monday morning and took his seat on the dais. Vela joined Council before a large group of…

Elections • By Jo Clifton • Feb 8, 2022

Council members want answers to boil-water incident by end of week

City Council members responsible for monitoring Austin Water service said they expect to receive a complete report by the end of this week explaining the cause behind the boil-water notice that went into effect on Saturday night. The Austin area…

Water • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 7, 2022

Small business forced to pay thousands on zoning 'technicality'

The Zoning and Platting Commission Tuesday blamed the city’s complex code after hearing the case of a landscaping business being forced to rezone its property at a cost of thousands of dollars.  The 1.7-acre property at 13561 Pond Springs Road…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 7, 2022

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Vision Zero initiative brings second rollout of speed limit reductions

City Council slipped a number of roadway changes through its brief, sentimental meeting this past Thursday, passing several ordinances that will lower the speed limit on a number of roads in Southwest, Southeast and Northeast Austin. Prioritized sections of Convict…

Roads • By Kali Bramble • Feb 7, 2022

Austin's legal bill to oust operator of airport's South Terminal approaches $1 million

The cost of Austin’s legal fight to reclaim and demolish the airport’s South Terminal — where people catch Allegiant and Frontier flights — just grew to $847,000. The Austin City Council today approved paying corporate law firm Winstead PC another $600,000 on top of $247,000 it…

Austin • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • Feb 4, 2022

Council eyes new protections for renters

City Council passed two resolutions Thursday aimed at protecting renters from eviction and granting them more organizing rights.  “With the escalating housing costs that we see and with the daily emergencies that we know so many families face, it’s clear…

Housing • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 4, 2022

Council takes first vote to declare warehouse historic

On a vote of 7-2-2, City Council on Thursday approved on first reading a request for historic zoning for the property at 301 San Jacinto St. downtown. Council members Pio Renteria and Paige Ellis voted no and Greg Casar and…

Preservation • By Jo Clifton • Feb 4, 2022

front of City Hall

Council committee assignments offer few surprises

By the looks of the new City Council committee assignments approved Thursday, the mayor and most Council members will continue serving in their same appointments – with a few changes. Incoming Council Member Chito Vela, who will be sworn in…

City Council • By Amy Smith • Feb 4, 2022

Future of El Mercado Uptown uncertain following approval of demolition permit

Nearly five decades of serving frozen margaritas and enchilada plates at 1700 Lavaca Street may be coming to an end in the near future. Finding insufficient support for historic zoning, the Historic Landmark Commission approved an application for 1700 Lavaca Street’s demolition in…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Feb 3, 2022

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