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Texas capitol dome

State court puts Austin's paid sick leave rules on hold

As the city has stepped up work to inform and prepare workers about their rights under the city’s passed-but-not-yet-implemented paid sick leave ordinance, a state appeals court has put the measure on hold while it reviews the legal case against…

Courts • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 20, 2018

Do 'flag lots' threaten neighborhood character?

No neighbors voiced opposition to the plans, but two members of the Planning Commission last Tuesday voiced concern about a developer’s attempt to subdivide three large lots in East Austin to create “flag lots” that would each include two homes.…

Planning • By Jack Craver • Aug 20, 2018

Austin Monitor Radio: District 8 candidate Rich DePalma

This week, City Council candidate Rich DePalma sits down with Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard to explain why he is seeking the District 8 seat. Hear his reasons for running and more below, where the entire show has been embedded.…

Radio • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 20, 2018

person sleeping on street

City budget boosts spending for homelessness services

The new city manager and City Council agree: The city needs more money to address the homelessness situation. The proposed Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget submitted by City Manager Spencer Cronk includes $3.1 million in new spending on homelessness-related services. That’s…

Austin • By Jack Craver • Aug 17, 2018

Task force talks trash – and cash for recycling at all Austin parks and facilities

This story was mistakenly re-published in October, 2019. It was originally published in 2018. The Parks and Recreation Recycling Task Force is recommending several different ways to pay for consistent recycling around Austin. City Council approved the task force in…

Uncategorized • By DaLyah Jones • Aug 17, 2018

state capitol building at night

'Godfather of progressive politics in Austin' dies

Ken Wendler Jr., who has been described as the “godfather of progressive politics in Austin,” passed away on Aug. 13 at the age of 88. Wendler served as chairman of the Travis County Democratic Party from 1972 to 1980. Two…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • Aug 17, 2018

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Norwood Park Boulevard

For grandfathered signs, the proof is in the permitting

Occasionally, despite one’s best intentions to provide the right board or commission with the proper permitting to ensure a smooth continuation of a project, a request is presented incorrectly. “I’m not sure that this item is properly before the board,” Assistant…

Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 17, 2018

Stadium agreement approval clears the way for pro soccer in Austin

Wednesday’s 7-4 vote to have city staff finalize and execute an agreement that will result in the construction of a professional soccer stadium on the city’s McKalla Place property in North Austin broke along expected lines. The four City Council…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 16, 2018

CodeNEXT

Planning Commission wonders what to do after CodeNEXT

CodeNEXT might be dead, but most members of the Planning Commission seem to agree that they can’t give up on making big changes to the Land Development Code. For over a year, discussion of CodeNEXT has been a standing item…

Land Development Code • By Jack Craver • Aug 16, 2018

board of adjustment

Should Board of Adjustment have outside counsel?

Two members of the city’s Board of Adjustment argued strenuously in favor of providing outside legal counsel for the board when it is interpreting city code, but the assistant city attorney who has been advising the board for several years…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Aug 16, 2018

Cellphone tower ruffles Board of Adjustment

Sometimes, if you don’t know what to do, you have to ask. Vincent Huebinger, representing Crown Castle International and Dean Davidov in a request to relocate a single-antenna cellphone tower to another location at 610 1/2 Kenniston Drive on the…

Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 16, 2018

Columbus Crew SC

Council vote on soccer stadium hinges on amendments – lots of them

After 10 months of discussion and roughly three months of often very public negotiations, the fate of Austin as the possible home of a professional sports franchise will come down to the fate of 28 amendments. Today’s special called City…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 15, 2018

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