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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…

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…

ZAP case triggers discussion on affordable housing and transit in North Austin

Northwest Austin is developing quickly. Many of the large tracts of developable land in the far reaches of the city’s jurisdiction, by Farm to Market 620 and Texas State Highway 45, are outside the city limits, which makes it difficult…

'Sensitive' addition prompts Historic Landmark Commission to open historic zoning case

In order to expand a home and obtain room to display a 300-piece Hispanic art collection, the owners of 1216 E. Seventh St. submitted plans to the city to construct a 2,200-square-foot addition to the back side of their 1919…

Brent Lloyd’s statement in response to allegations

Editor’s Note: On June 3, three members of the Board of Adjustment filed a complaint with the State Bar of Texas alleging that former City Attorney Brent Lloyd had violated the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct by simultaneously representing…

Austin Monitor Radio: Publisher Dan Zehr

This week Dan Zehr, Capital of Texas Media Foundation executive director and Austin Monitor publisher, sits down with Monitor reporter Jack Craver to talk about the future of the Monitor and plans for a local policy think tank. Curious about…

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New Texas law has Travis County dismissing marijuana cases

Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore said Wednesday her office is dismissing 32 felony cases involving possession or delivery of marijuana or THC, pending further investigation, as the result of a new Texas law legalizing hemp. The law, which took…

Zilker's botanical garden admission remains unchanged for now

City Council claimed to have residents in mind at its June 19 meeting when it denied a chance to save some money by giving the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy a little more control over the garden’s operations and finances. In…

Historic Landmark Commission looks for a pitch-perfect roofline solution

The Historic Landmark Commission recently discovered that the design guidelines of a local historic district may not always be practical in real-life situations. When Mike Synowiec, the owner of 305 W. 45th St., came before the commission’s Certificate of Appropriateness…

Merck withdraws from economic incentive plans

Pharmaceutical giant Merck has notified City Manager Spencer Cronk that it is terminating its incentive agreement with the city effective June 23. As a result, Merck will not have to comply with the terms of the agreement, which included an…

I.Q. Hurdle House makes slow but steady progress

The old adage that slow and steady wins the race came into play during a discussion about the status of the I.Q. Hurdle House at the June 24 Historic Landmark Commission meeting. Pam Madere with the Jackson Walker firm, who…

State Bar accepts complaint against former assistant city attorney

The State Bar of Texas has determined it will be pursuing a formal investigation of former Assistant City Attorney Brent Lloyd. Lloyd was the subject of a complaint filed last month by Board of Adjustment Chair William Burkhardt and former…