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Brush Square Master Plan gets wholehearted approval from HLC

Brush Square may be the least memorable of the four original squares designed as part of the 1839 Waller Plan. Today, thanks to a new master plan, that may be about to change. Kim McKnight, a planner with the Parks and…

Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Mar 5, 2019

Commission drills down on Grove at Shoal Creek park plans

After years of contentious planning, the Grove at Shoal Creek has broken ground and begun construction on the first two blocks of residences of this mixed-use development in central Northwest Austin. The plan for the accompanying parkland remains under discussion. At…

Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Mar 4, 2019

City electric water heating restrictions not plugged in to affordability, climate reality

The Joint Sustainability Committee is asking the city to reconsider an outdated prohibition on electric water heating as part of the upcoming code rewrite process. The committee passed a resolution Feb. 27 claiming the prohibition is a barrier to affordability…

Energy • By Ryan Thornton • Mar 4, 2019

Real estate group hears tough talk from homeless advocates

As one of the city’s leading advocates for the homeless, Ann Howard knows not to waste an opportunity when she gets in front of a room full of people who can help her cause. So she didn’t mince words last…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 4, 2019

Reporters Notebook: APD on ICE

Life after SB 4… Following Texas’ Senate Bill 4, also known as the “Sanctuary City bill,” Austin City Council asked that all instances of city collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement be tracked. A Feb. 28 memo from Austin Police Chief…

Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Mar 4, 2019

TCEQ OKs Dripping Springs discharge permit

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued a wastewater discharge permit to Dripping Springs on Wednesday, giving the city authority to expand its existing wastewater plant and discharge up to 822,500 gallons of effluent per day into Onion Creek. However,…

Environment • By Jo Clifton • Mar 1, 2019

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Landmark commissioners say they feel double-crossed over West Austin property

Despite a local homeowner and the city spending months compromising, negotiating and working to comply with suggestions from Austin’s Historic Preservation Office, Historic Landmark commissioners were flabbergasted Monday night at the final plans for a multimillion-dollar home in Old West…

Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Mar 1, 2019

While it's held up in court, Austin's paid sick leave law comes closer to being undone by the state

Texas lawmakers advanced a bill on Thursday that would prevent cities from requiring private employers to give their workers certain benefits, such as paid sick leave. “This bill creates a statewide policy for consistent regulation by giving clarity to our…

Texas State Legislature • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Mar 1, 2019

ASMP roadway project strikes a nerve

The Austin Strategic Mobility Plan is already causing a stir in the community since being released Feb. 22. After a two-year process that allowed residents to comment on potential corridor projects, a handful of community members feel ignored by the…

Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Mar 1, 2019

Protesters show up late to protest postponed Riverside project

Although there was additional security at Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting, the commission discussed the case without incident, voting to indefinitely postpone action in order to allow city staff to continue evaluating Project Catalyst, a major mixed-use development proposed near East Riverside…

Development • By Jack Craver • Feb 28, 2019

Austin's homeless population still growing

Despite the expenditure of millions of city and federal dollars, and the fact that Austin’s efforts are frequently cited as best practices in other cities, homelessness is still on the rise here. Ann Howard, executive director of the Ending Community…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • Feb 28, 2019

South station closure marks start of municipal court facilities shuffle

A significant shuffling of operations is in store for Austin Municipal Court in the coming months, thanks in large part to Friday’s permanent closure of the court’s south substation on Manchaca Road. The closure will leave South Austin residents with…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 28, 2019

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