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Commission votes to allow residential buffer between neighborhood and small business development

At its April 17 meeting, the Zoning and Platting Commission approved a rezoning on Ferguson Lane and Sansom Road, despite strong urges to reject the proposal from the residents of Walnut Place Neighborhood Association. The agreed-upon motion includes a residential…

Zoning • By Sommer Brugal • Apr 20, 2018

Without final rules in place, Austin closes two fair chance hiring complaints

When Lewis Conway Jr. was released from prison in 2000 after serving time for manslaughter, the state required him to wear an electronic monitoring device. But nothing fit his ankles. “So they put the electronic monitor on my wrist,” said…

City Hall • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Apr 19, 2018

front of City Hall

Mobility Committee doesn't not want Council to add Project Connect to November bond

After some brief dais drama on Tuesday, City Council’s Mobility Committee unanimously endorsed the idea of at least talking about putting $15 million in Project Connect seed money on the November ballot. The 4-0 vote nudged forward a request made…

Bonds & Propositions • By Caleb Pritchard • Apr 19, 2018

Extra bond requests – $65M and counting – bring worry for cultural centers

Requests for additional funds for cultural and arts needs in a bond proposal expected to be voted on in November are causing worry from community groups that sticker shock could put much-needed funding at risk. Some of those concerns bubbled…

Bonds & Propositions • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 19, 2018

area zoning map

Planning Commission skeptical of apartment complex in Southeast Austin

Things aren’t looking good for a landowner in Southeast Austin hoping to turn a 10-acre tract into a 125-unit apartment community. At its latest meeting, few members of the Planning Commission voiced support for the request by the property owners,…

Planning • By Jack Craver • Apr 19, 2018

Some say city's home rehab loans hurt them

Three Austinites have told the Austin Monitor their homes have suffered serious damage at the hands of a specific contractor hired by the city to improve their homes through the Home Rehabilitation Loan Program. And a fourth homeowner has expressed…

Housing • By Jo Clifton • Apr 18, 2018

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Dockless scooters and bikes zip through Mobility Committee

City Council’s Mobility Committee learned on Tuesday afternoon that when it comes to dockless bikes and scooters, the last foot is the technology’s biggest problem. That was the message at least from Jason JonMichael, assistant director of smart mobility with…

Transportation • By Caleb Pritchard • Apr 18, 2018

Austin Energy's last employee returns from Puerto Rico

At 6:30 p.m. on April 16, Paul Vasquez, the superintendent of system operations at Austin Energy, announced at the Electric Utility Commission meeting that Austin Energy’s last employee had returned from the disaster reparation efforts that Austin had participated in…

Energy • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 18, 2018

Austin Monitor Radio: District 9 candidate Danielle Skidmore

This week, Danielle Skidmore joins Austin Monitor freelancer Caleb Pritchard and editor Elizabeth Pagano to talk about why she’s running for City Council’s District 9 seat, how she prepared for the challenge, and what she hopes to tackle if elected.…

Radio • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 18, 2018

After two dockless scooter companies launch in Austin, city speeds up rule process

Jumping the gun works, it seems. While city staff was devising a pilot program to govern dockless bikes and scooters, expecting to bring a proposal to Council members in June, two companies dropped their electric scooters throughout the city. Now…

Transportation • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Apr 17, 2018

Flats on Shady plan

Affordability trumps traffic concerns for Govalle apartment complex

The Planning Commission recommended that City Council approve a zoning change that will allow a 290-unit apartment complex to be built at 1125 Shady Lane, near the intersection of Bolm Road and Airport Boulevard. The commission voted 7-4 to change…

Planning • By Jack Craver • Apr 17, 2018

Project Connect's big hopes hinge on small investment

Project Connect’s path to an estimated $8 billion worth of high-capacity transit investments could be washed out if City Council and Austin voters don’t greenlight a $15 million installment this year, according to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s director of…

Transit • By Caleb Pritchard • Apr 17, 2018

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