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Camping rules continue to stoke arguments
City Council’s decision to revise ordinances related to where homeless people may camp, sit or lie down continues to cause controversy in the city, with some claiming the changes are making things worse for everyone, particularly law enforcement. Mayor Steve…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Jul 11, 2019
Music Commission set to finalize proposal process for creative space bonds
The city’s Music Commission hopes to make a decision by September on how arts and music groups will be able to submit proposals to receive some of the city’s $12 million in creative spaces funding. At last week’s meeting, commissioners…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 11, 2019
Board of Adjustment denies case in consideration of trees
On Monday night, trees became the centerpiece of a dock variance discussion at the Board of Adjustment. The property at 2710 Scenic Drive currently has a half-constructed boat dock, big enough for only one boat, that the new property owners…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 11, 2019
Texas' strong economy is making it harder for officials to hire part-time census workers
The U.S. Census Bureau is having a tough time hiring workers in Texas for the 2020 census because the unemployment rate is so low – which means nonprofits and local governments may have to step in to make sure there’s…
Austin • By Ashley Lopez, KUT • Jul 11, 2019
Eckhardt proposes land swap with city for Palm School
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt is willing to give the city of Austin the historic Palm School building. But she wants a lot in return. In a July 3 letter addressed to Mayor Steve Adler and City Council, Eckhardt proposed…
Austin • By Jack Craver • Jul 10, 2019
Guernsey announces retirement
After 34 years with the city of Austin, Greg Guernsey, director of the Planning and Zoning Department, announced his retirement Tuesday. Guernsey’s last official day is July 31, but he’s planning to take vacation time, so his last day in…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jul 10, 2019
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UT Austin to give free tuition to low-income Texas students
The University of Texas System Board of Regents voted Tuesday to offer full tuition assistance to more UT Austin students, adding $160 million to an endowment to help cover costs. Undergraduates from Texas who come from families making up to…
Education • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jul 10, 2019
Cultural center variance goes before Board of Adjustment for a third time
When the Board of Adjustment voted last month to deny the reconsideration of a case and let their original judgment for a variance at 810½ San Marcos St. stand, it turns out that the vote negated their original vote of…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 10, 2019
Council to mull funding for incentives to increase transit use
The Austin Transportation Department has delivered its findings to City Council on how the city could start small programs that would provide incentives to some riders of public transit. The report, which included 15 potential pilot programs, was given to…
Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 9, 2019
Faux Victorian windows prompt Historic Landmark Commission to reconsider historic zoning
After initiating a case for historic zoning for the home at 1903 New York Ave., investigations by the city’s Historic Preservation Office revealed at the June 24 meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission that significant alterations in the 1980s compromised…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 9, 2019
Families with noncitizens could lose federal housing benefits if HUD proposal moves forward
Tuesday is the last day for public comment on a proposal that could evict or even separate thousands of families with mixed-citizenship status who receive housing assistance in Texas. Since 1980, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has…
Housing • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jul 9, 2019
Walter E. Long Park plan, all $800 million of it, gets parks board approval
With an eventual price tag expected to exceed $800 million and a timeline likely stretching more than two decades, members of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Board unanimously voted to approve a new master plan for East Austin’s Walter E. Long…