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East Austin church rezoning reveals cracks in DB90

Plans to expand an East Austin church are moving forward, but not before they sparked criticism of the city’s new density bonus program, DB90, at the Planning Commission last week. Christ Church of Central Austin, which is located at San…

Zoning • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 21, 2024

Save Our Springs Alliance files another lawsuit against City Council over Open Meetings Act

Claiming that City Council has again violated the Texas Open Meetings Act, the Save Our Springs Alliance on Monday filed a lawsuit seeking to block the city’s placement of 13 proposed charter amendments on the November ballot. It is the…

Courts • By Amy Smith • Aug 20, 2024

Project Connect anti-displacement funding gets close look from Community Development Commission

Members of the Community Development Commission have requested more information from city staff about the decision-making process for spending Project Connect funds intended to preserve or create affordable housing near the mass transit system. Last week, the commission received a…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 20, 2024

Watershed Protection details preparation for Old Lampasas Dam repairs

The Watershed Protection Department appears to ready to move ahead with the start of the Old Lampasas Dam #3 Modernization Project, having completed the diligence called for by City Council this spring. In a memo released Monday, WPD Director Jorge…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 20, 2024

Umlauf Vision Plan aims to revive iconic sculptor's home and studio as museum

Plans to significantly expand the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum are continuing to drum up enthusiasm, with Historic Landmark commissioners granting the project their blessing last week. The Umlauf Historic Preservation, Expansion, and Unification Plan hopes to add thousands of…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Aug 19, 2024

Council formally authorizes November election with 13 proposed charter amendments

City of Austin voters will face a loaded ballot in November, with 13 charter amendments to be decided as well as a full slate of political races to elect a mayor and five City Council members. City Council last week…

Bonds & Propositions • By Amy Smith • Aug 19, 2024

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Builders can now construct homes on less land, as Austin’s new minimum lot size goes into effect

A controversial rule that lowers the amount of land needed to build one house in Austin goes into effect Friday. Landowners wanting to build a home in some city neighborhoods will now need 1,800 square feet of land, about two-thirds…

Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Aug 16, 2024

Taxes are rising, as are charges for city services

Money paid by city of Austin taxpayers and Austin residents who pay monthly bills for water and wastewater, electricity, trash and recycling collection (as well as a drainage utility fee and a clean community fee) will see their cost-of-living increase…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 16, 2024

Central Health board considers improvements to reaching target communities

Members of the Central Health Board of Managers turned their attention Wednesday to how well the organization is doing at finding those who need health care and other services in a number of areas throughout East Austin. The discussion came…

Public Health • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 16, 2024

Austin exploring new ways to look at water quality

A discussion at the most recent meeting of the Environmental Commission revealed that the city is in the process of creating a new way to explain and track how policy decisions impact water quality in Austin. Since 1994, the Watershed…

Water • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 16, 2024

Council OKs raising property tax, adding funds for homeless services in new $5.9 billion budget

Austin taxpayers will see an increase in their property tax bills next year, but not so much that it will require their approval. Taxpayers will be charged $0.4776 per $100 taxable value, with a homestead exemption of $154,000 for homeowners…

Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 15, 2024

Parks, pools, trees – and dogs – get a boost in new city budget

The new city budget City Council passed Wednesday delivered good news for parks and park lovers with the creation of a land acquisition fund, improved parks maintenance, additional funding for tree-planting projects and a dog park in Southwest Austin. Additionally,…

Budget • By Amy Smith • Aug 15, 2024

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