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Homeless Strategy Office turns its focus to prevention and diversion

With a $2.1 million boost from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and City Council’s recent approval of a contract for navigation services, the Homeless Strategy Office is now better equipped to address housing barriers, HSO leader David Gray told…

Public Health • By Amy Smith • Sep 6, 2024

Living Streets Program plans to expand operations

In an effort to build community and address equity across the city, Austin’s Living Streets Program is working to reenvision local streets as spaces where residents can walk, bike, gather and connect. Community members can apply by Oct. 4 for…

Roads • By Hunter Simmons • Sep 6, 2024

Barton Springs closed for weeks due to major leaks

Austinites looking forward to an end-of-summer celebratory Barton Springs dip this Labor Day weekend were disappointed, thanks to a safety hazard caused by two major leaks that has led to a weekslong indefinite closure of the pool. The pool has…

Parks • By Lina Fisher • Sep 5, 2024

East Cesar Chavez zoning granted despite neighbors’ objections

Although former City Council Member Raul Alvarez and other east side advocates argued strenuously during last week’s meeting against granting DB90 zoning to the property at 3020 E. Cesar Chavez St., Council members approved the change on all three readings.…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 5, 2024

Appeal reveals 'urgent need' to review historic standards

A final attempt to stop the construction of a large second home in the Robertson/Stuart & Mair Historic District failed at City Council last week, despite concerns that its approval could set a worrying precedent for local historic districts citywide.…

Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 4, 2024

State court rules Austin must release files on police complaints. Here's what that means.

Austin police must release records of officer complaints previously kept in house to the police oversight office, a state district judge has ruled. The personnel files – known colloquially as “g-files” – were a cornerstone of the Austin Police Oversight Act,…

Courts • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Sep 4, 2024

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Ethics Commission complaints allege Mayor Watson and challenger Doug Greco violated campaign finance laws

Incumbent Kirk Watson and challenger Doug Greco may soon hit a snag in their respective bids for mayor, with the Ethics Review Commission investigating claims that both broke the same campaign finance law. The complaints, filed by former Commissioner Betsy…

Local Politics • By Kali Bramble • Sep 4, 2024

Council declines site plan appeal despite claims of ordinance violations

City Council last week declined to even discuss an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to approve a site plan, despite area homeowners’ arguments that the plan violates not only the Save Our Springs Ordinance but also the Hill Country…

Housing • By Jo Clifton • Sep 4, 2024

front of City Hall

City Council condemns anti-immigrant Senate Bill 4

Last year, the Texas Legislature passed one of its most extreme anti-immigrant laws yet: Senate Bill 4, which gives law enforcement the ability to arrest and hold people suspected of having entered Texas illegally. As the law’s enforcement still hangs…

City Council • By Lina Fisher • Sep 3, 2024

Austin plans to move forward with abortion travel fund, officials say

The city of Austin will be allowed to move forward with plans to implement its Reproductive Justice Fund, despite a lawsuit challenging its legality, city officials said. The Reproductive Justice Fund is a provision in the city’s 2024-25 budget that is…

Public Health • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Sep 3, 2024

Council pushes forward with density bonus changes

Though it has been in place only since February, the city’s newest density bonus program – DB90 – was updated by City Council during its Thursday meeting. DB90, which is a new zoning category ushered through the codification process at…

Land Development Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 3, 2024

Judge’s order halts Nov. 5 charter election

Travis County District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble on Thursday ordered the city of Austin to eliminate 13 proposed charter amendments from the Nov. 5 ballot because City Council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act in setting a hearing on the…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • Aug 30, 2024

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