Prop H critics want more inclusivity in 'democracy dollars' program

Advocates for local immigrant workers have come out against the “democracy dollars” ballot proposal set to go before voters in May, and are pushing City Council to pass an ordinance expanding its eligibility if the initiative succeeds. Proposition H would create…

Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 31, 2021

Planning Commission recommends 400-unit VMU project at Airport and Springdale 

A 400-unit apartment project at 3707 Goodwin Ave. took another step toward approval last Tuesday after receiving Planning Commission support for vertical-mixed use (VMU) zoning.  “This is a simple, straightforward VMU zoning case,” said David Hartman, representing the applicant, “but…

Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 31, 2021

Community development grant administrators gear up for 2021 projects

Travis County has received Community Development Block Grant funding since 2006 for the purpose of improving affordability, community facilities and revitalizing county neighborhoods. Last Tuesday, the Commissioners Court reviewed the CDBG funding annual action plan. “This public hearing is to…

Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Mar 31, 2021

Prop G's extra Council seat could mean gridlock if strong-mayor proposal fails

As voters ponder the eight ballot proposals they will see at the ballot box in May, City Council’s move to split the question of installing a strong mayor from the addition of a Council seat appears to have opened up…

Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 30, 2021

Commissions plan joint work group to address off-leash dogs 

The Parks and Recreation Board and the Animal Advisory Commission are expected to form a work group to address the growing issue of off-leash dogs in Austin. Both bodies have received complaints from Austin residents about off-leash dogs and noncompliant…

Parks • By Sumaiya Malik, Reporting Texas • Mar 30, 2021

Planning Commission throws support behind Springdale Green development

The Planning Commission last Tuesday recommended rezoning a 30-acre brownfield site in East Austin to make way for Springdale Green, a proposed 800,000-square-foot, mixed-use development. The commission voted 7-4 to support Planned Unit Development zoning, though only at the current…

Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 30, 2021

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Austin ISD is sued over backlog of special education evaluations

An advocacy group for people with disabilities filed a lawsuit Monday claiming the Austin Independent School District is “failing thousands of students” by not evaluating them for special education within a specific amount of time. KUT reported earlier this month that…

AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Mar 30, 2021

City Council critiques TxDOT’s I-35 plans

City Council last Thursday made clear what the city’s goals are for the Texas Department of Transportation’s Interstate 35 expansion, passing a resolution critiquing – though not outright opposing – the preliminary plans presented so far.  The resolution together with…

Roads • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 29, 2021

'Democracy dollars' proposal looks to spread influence, participation in elections

Opinions are mixed about the potential impact of a ballot proposal that would provide city dollars to residents to fund local political campaigns, but proponents agree the intention is clear: to bring more people from throughout Austin into the political process.…

Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 29, 2021

Landmark Commission postpones decision to deliberate on historic designation

At last week’s meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission, commissioners reviewed a rehabilitation case at 1601 Brackenridge St. The home, which was built in 1915, was first inhabited by William and Lettie Webster Davis, two teachers at the Texas School…

Preservation • By Sean Saldaña • Mar 29, 2021

It's been more than a year since Austin started training new police. It could restart this summer.

City Council members voted Thursday to make changes to how Austin police are trained, with the eventual goal of restarting cadet classes by June 7 at the latest. The police academy has not welcomed a group of new trainees since…

Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Mar 29, 2021

Assistant Chief Joseph Chacon confirmed as Austin's new interim police chief

Assistant Chief Joseph Chacon will be Austin’s interim police chief starting April 11. City Council approved his appointment Thursday night. “This is not an easy city, probably, to be police chief,” Mayor Steve Adler told Chacon before the vote. “It’s…

Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Mar 26, 2021

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