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aisd building

Declining enrollment, segregation dominate AISD board meeting

The Austin Independent School Board’s unanimous decision to spend $25 million modernizing Sanchez Elementary School was welcomed by a substantial contingent of those who packed the board’s chambers Monday night, but it hardly assuaged long-term concerns from east side activists…

AISD • By Jack Craver • Sep 26, 2018

white picket fence

AG tells Cedar Park no deal on tax exemption

Attorney General Ken Paxton has ruled that the city of Cedar Park is not allowed to set its minimum property tax exemption at $10,000 but must use the $5,000 minimum set by state law. Last spring, the Cedar Park City…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • Sep 26, 2018

Ethics commission pushes Austin Energy for info on retiree's overtime case

An Austin Energy retiree who is being investigated for allegedly misusing his sick and vacation time will get more evidence from his former employer to possibly contest the city’s case against him. The Ethics Review Commission voted 9-0 last week…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 26, 2018

Noemi everett

Austin spent millions taking them out of the flood plain. A new map puts them back in.

A massive update to Austin’s flood plain map shows about 3,000 properties are at higher risk of flooding than previously thought. But a review of the map shows the new threat is most concentrated in some neighborhoods where the city…

Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Sep 26, 2018

Health department audit shows flaws in system

Austin Public Health’s contracts with the African American Youth Harvest Foundation do not require sufficient documentation to allow the department to adequately monitor the contracts, according to a draft audit report released Monday. In criticizing the health department’s monitoring of…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Sep 25, 2018

Council candidates offer different ideas on housing policy

The decision by Mayor Steve Adler and City Council last month to abandon CodeNEXT, a proposed rewrite of the Land Development Code, reflected the deep divisions in the community over the prospect of increased residential density in single-family neighborhoods. However,…

Elections • By Jack Craver • Sep 25, 2018

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At the Environmental Commission, man-made islands get man-made variances

There are few undeveloped lots along Lake Austin. However, those that are find themselves uniquely positioned as a clean slate that is ideal for a new, modern home – except when the lot is the wrong shape. Just underneath Mt.…

Land Development Code • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 25, 2018

Travis County commissioners expected to vote on Sendero budget

The Travis County Commissioners Court is scheduled to vote this morning on Central Health’s budget, which includes money for the nonprofit Sendero Health Plans. Central Health’s board of managers voted Saturday to allocate $26 million to Sendero Health Plans in…

Budget • By DaLyah Jones • Sep 25, 2018

Camelback project narrowly receives Environmental Commission's approval

After nearly four and a half hours of testimony and discussion, and two votes due to some confusion over the conditions attached to a motion, the Environmental Commission endorsed the environmental superiority of the Camelback PUD, the controversial planned unit…

Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 24, 2018

Environmental group opposes propositions J, K

Austin Environmental Democrats on Friday voted to oppose two propositions placed on the November ballot by citizen petitions. Like a number of other groups, the environmentalists voted to oppose Proposition K, which seeks to have a comprehensive audit of all…

Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Sep 24, 2018

Powell Lane

Zoning OK'd for affordable housing

With the recently released University of Texas gentrification study on their minds, City Council members on Thursday gave final approval for a zoning change that will allow construction of 258 apartments – including a few three-bedroom units – in North…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 24, 2018

Reporter's Notebook: Who stands alone?

You can’t say that… During a discussion at Thursday’s City Council meeting about a city home repair program for low-income households, Mayor Steve Adler took an opportunity to remind those watching about the $250 million affordable housing bond that will…

Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Sep 24, 2018

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