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Commissioners Court annual retreat expands to include community expertise

On a to-be-determined Friday in February or March, the Travis County Commissioners Court will convene to consider its vision and purpose on a larger scale than is appropriate during its weekly Tuesday morning voting sessions. Near the beginning of each…

Travis County • By Ryan Thornton • Jan 10, 2019

Historic Landmark Commission argues over definition of ‘significant’ for historic zoning

Anyone would agree that the Pease Mansion in the Old Enfield Neighborhood is a historic landmark. But what about all the other surrounding properties that inevitably pale in comparison? For the Tudor Revival-style house at 1602 Pease Road, city staff…

Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jan 9, 2019

Advocates say APD should focus less on how rape cases are coded and more on solving them

When Austin Police Chief Brian Manley announced last week that state auditors had found problems with the way police classify rape cases, some people were not shocked by the news. “It wasn’t a huge surprise to us,” said Kristen Lenau,…

Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jan 9, 2019

Court makes move toward public defender’s office

No final decision has been made on the creation of a Travis County public defender’s office, but the Commissioners Court demonstrated firm support for the idea in Tuesday morning’s voting session. Gathering momentum after a rocky start, the court finalized…

Travis County • By Ryan Thornton • Jan 9, 2019

Political accelerator ready for next class of future Council hopefuls

Having been an active presence in Dallas-area Democratic and political organizations prior to relocating to Austin four years ago, Zenette Dorsey noticed some unique traits about local political discourse around big issues. “Austin is going through an identity crisis with…

City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 9, 2019

Adler calls on Council to do 'big things,' Garza elected mayor pro tem

Mayor Steve Adler began his new four-year term on an optimistic note, saying that the city is “poised to get some really big things done” when it comes to addressing Austin’s major challenges, notably housing and transportation. Adler, along with…

City Council • By Jack Craver • Jan 8, 2019

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Police department still waiting for explanation of DPS audit of sexual assault clearance rates

On New Year’s Eve, Austin Police Department Chief Brian Manley gave a press conference in which he noted that nearly two-thirds of the sexual assault cases reviewed by Texas Department of Public Safety from January, November and December of 2017…

Police • By Jessi Devenyns • Jan 8, 2019

Task force recommends Austin ISD cut magnet programs, consolidate schools to save money

A task force created by the Austin Independent School District released a report outlining budget cuts and ways the district can bring in more money. Some of the more dramatic recommendations are redrawing attendance zones, closing schools and cutting magnet…

AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jan 8, 2019

North Austin neighborhood group doesn't want more renters

A family seeking to sell roughly 30 acres of undeveloped property in North Austin won approval last month from the Zoning and Platting Commission for a zoning change that will allow the land to be developed into over 130 homes,…

Zoning • By Jack Craver • Jan 8, 2019

New event deadline means clarity, crunch time for SXSW planners

The Austin Center for Events has set a hard deadline of Feb. 8 for applications for special events scheduled to take place during spring festival season, or the 10 days in March that span the South by Southwest festival. Setting…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 7, 2019

New construction is approved for historical lot in South Austin

Putting new construction on a historically zoned lot with an emblematic structure is not an everyday occurrence in Austin, so when it happens, it should be no surprise that it involves months of negotiation. After several months of back-and-forth with…

Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jan 7, 2019

Traffic concerns for proposed Braker Lane development give Zoning Commission pause

At the corner of Braker Lane and Dessau Road sits an oddly shaped 0.9-acre parcel of land that has been the subject of at least two heated zoning disputes. In mid-2016, the owner of 1308 E. Braker Lane, Sinh Tron…

Zoning • By Jack Craver • Jan 7, 2019

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