Audit and Finance considers Code Department's present, with an eye toward the future

When City Council members voted to reduce the Austin Police Department budget, they promised to reassign some duties police have previously handled, but it was not clear which departments would take up those burdens. However, at least some Council members were…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Oct 22, 2020

Environmental benefits fail to win Board of Adjustment dock variance

The Board of Adjustment has made it clear that “the greater good” isn’t enough when it comes to getting an exception from the city to build a boat dock. The requested variance would allow the owner of 3002 Scenic Drive…

Land Development Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 22, 2020

Austin protester sues officer for shooting him in the face with 'less-lethal' round

An Austinite who was shot by a police officer with a so-called less-lethal shotgun round during a protest this summer is suing the officer and the Austin Police Department in federal court. A federal civil rights lawsuit filed Tuesday on…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Oct 21, 2020

Commission sends back public art guidelines

The city’s Art in Public Places guidelines are being revised this year for improved legibility, formatting and a stronger focus on equity. They have not been updated since 2004 and most of the changes are uncontroversial, but the Arts Commission…

City Hall • By Ryan Thornton • Oct 21, 2020

Audit: Austin Code employee abused his position

After receiving an anonymous tip, investigators with the Office of the City Auditor discovered that a hiring manager in Austin Code’s finance division was using his position to try to advance a romantic relationship based on a promise to hire…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Oct 21, 2020

Council requests emergency economic development corporation

As part of the Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors program, City Council is seeking to expedite formation of the Austin Economic Development Corporation, an entity that may be able to help refine and administer the long-term sustainability component of SAVES.…

City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Oct 21, 2020

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Some air pollutants increased in Austin during the pandemic. The big question is why?

As Covid-19 spread across the globe in the spring, people noticed a strange side effect of the pandemic: The air was getting cleaner. Stay-at-home orders, along with the economic crash caused by the outbreak, meant less industrial and transportation-related pollution.…

Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Oct 20, 2020

City identifies Downtown Community Court east side location

After considering the available options, the city is ready to make the first move to relocate the Downtown Austin Community Court across Interstate 35 into a planned three-story building at 1719 E. Second St. The city intends to bring a…

City Hall • By Ryan Thornton • Oct 20, 2020

Pier zoning takes one step forward

Joe Liemandt, who is the founder of the software company Trilogy, and his friend, Andy Price, purchased a 4.46-acre property on Lake Austin that previously housed the Pier restaurant at 1703 River Hills Road. The restaurant closed in 2005, but…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Oct 20, 2020

Hancock Conservancy pushes for park

As the city looks for alternatives to maintaining the Hancock Golf Course, which sits on Red River Street between East 38th and East 41st streets, a newly formed group is urging the city to turn the nine-hole course into a…

Parks • By Jo Clifton • Oct 19, 2020

Planning Commission approves Crestview townhouse project

The Planning Commission on Tuesday evening approved future land use and zoning changes for a townhouse project in the Crestview neighborhood of North Austin. Commissioners approved rezoning about three-quarters of an acre at 902 and 904 Morrow St. from Family…

Zoning • By Daniel Salazar • Oct 19, 2020

Animal Advisory Commission votes down euthanasia code amendment

The city animal shelter must wait two business days before euthanizing a pet and must give other shelters or former owners the chance to claim the pet. A recent vote by the Animal Advisory Commission will ensure the rules stay…

City Hall • By Jackson Barton • Oct 19, 2020

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