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Some Austin waterways unsafe for swimming

According to a new report from the Environment Texas Research and Policy Center and the Frontier Group, many of the state’s creeks, rivers and beaches are too polluted for swimming or wading – and that includes the Colorado River at…

Environment • By Jo Clifton • Aug 30, 2018

Council will try a new tactic to rid Austin of plastic bags. Asking nicely.

City Council is taking up a resolution Thursday encouraging local stores to keep honoring the city’s “bag ban.” It’s the latest response to a state Supreme Court ruling this year that found Texas cities and towns could not enforce regulations…

City Council • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Aug 30, 2018

Fence unites landmark commission

Should new fences in National Register historic districts come before the Historic Landmark Commission? The answer appears to be “probably.” At their most recent meeting, Historic Landmark commissioners considered whether to summon the owners of 906 E. 14th St., which…

Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 30, 2018

Council considers which strings to attach to corporate incentives

After postponing action earlier this month, on Thursday City Council will again consider establishing new rules regarding economic incentives for businesses. Council members plan on considering a number of amendments to the proposal aimed at ensuring that public dollars are…

Austin • By Jack Craver • Aug 29, 2018

APD to soon use drones to map fatal car crashes

Drones are multipurpose: They can deliver pizzas and tally seals. Drones can fight wildfires and make aerial videos that garner pretty impressive watch counts on YouTube. Drones can also map fatal car crashes, which is why the Austin Police Department…

Police • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Aug 29, 2018

ZAP considers West Austin historic zoning

Going against the wishes of the property’s owners and their neighbors, a majority of the Zoning and Platting Commission endorsed a bid for historic zoning in Old West Austin at its most recent meeting. Though it wasn’t enough for a…

Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 29, 2018

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Austin ISD schools honoring Confederate figures will find out new names this semester

Five Austin Independent School District schools named for Confederate figures will get renamed this semester. The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted in February to rename the John T. Allan facility, Zachary Taylor Fulmore Middle School, Sidney Lanier Early College…

AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Aug 29, 2018

Texas Supreme Court denies challenges to two ballot items for Austin voters this fall

The Texas Supreme Court has denied petitions from two Austin residents asking that the city rewrite a pair of November ballot measures. Attorney Bill Aleshire filed challenges earlier this month with the court over the wording of a citizen-initiated petition…

Courts • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Aug 28, 2018

Council to consider changes to Community Development Commission

The city of Austin may be dealing with yet another headache over who gets to sit on a city commission and who should or can be removed. The Community Development Commission is responsible for overseeing the implementation of projects funded…

City Hall • By Jack Craver • Aug 28, 2018

Council rejects campgrounds with bar

On a vote of 6-5 last Thursday, City Council rejected a zoning change that would have allowed a developer to put a campground with rental recreational vehicles as well as a bar at the end of a narrow lane in…

Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Aug 28, 2018

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Nightlife vet takes the lead of music venue district on Red River

With the appointment of the first executive director for the Red River Cultural District, changes are pretty much guaranteed for the downtown stretch that includes more than a dozen live music venues and represents one of the city’s most renowned…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 28, 2018

Shoal Creek plan includes wins, losses for density advocates

On Thursday, City Council unanimously approved the North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Plan, a document that outlines how the neighborhood, which is bound by MoPac Expressway, U.S. Highway 183, Burnet Road and Anderson Lane, will accommodate future population growth. The plan…

Planning • By Jack Craver • Aug 27, 2018

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