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Arts Commission sees potential in proposed cultural district framework

The Arts Commission expressed early support recently for the Economic Development Department’s plans to simplify and standardize the process for creating cultural and economic districts, with the expectation that more districts will be established and funded in the coming years.…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 1, 2024

Joint Sustainability Committee voices support for climate fee proposal

Members of the city’s Joint Sustainability Committee expressed support Wednesday for a proposal to establish a climate fee to fund green initiatives. A resolution calling on City Council to pursue a climate fee to help fill funding gaps in the…

Environment • By Dylan Ebs • Jul 1, 2024

Austin adds more than a dozen shade structures to recreation areas. Here's where to find them.

In an effort to beat the heat, several shade structures are going up at public parks, playgrounds and pools around town. Austin dedicated $4 million to provide more shade in public places. City officials said it has become necessary as…

Parks • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Jun 28, 2024

Questions on short-term rental rules linger as city moves toward new regulations

A city memo published earlier this month suggests that, more than a decade after Austin became a leading destination in the market for short-term rentals, City Council could have code language later this year to comprehensively regulate the industry. The…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 28, 2024

Planning Commission checks in on new density bonus program

At their most recent meeting, members of the Planning Commission took the temperature of the city’s newest density bonus program, which is designed to allow developers to build more in exchange for community benefits like affordable housing. The program, dubbed…

Zoning • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 28, 2024

children at day care

Affordable child care investment for Travis County may be on November ballot

At its June 25 meeting, the Travis County Commissioners Court took a step toward expanding access to early childhood care and after-school services for low-income residents, setting Aug. 13 for a public hearing on a proposed 2.5-cent property tax rate…

Travis County • By Lina Fisher • Jun 27, 2024

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Travis County grand jury decides against charging Christopher Taylor with murder again

Austin police officer Christopher Taylor will no longer face prosecution for the fatal shooting of Mike Ramos in 2020. The shooting was a month before the murder of George Floyd, and Ramos’ name was invoked in racial justice protests in…

Police • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jun 27, 2024

On homelessness, Broadnax seeks connections with housing and service providers

The Austin Monitor recently sat down with new Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax to discuss some of the more prominent issues facing city staff and City Council as he gets situated in his job. For the last of four portions from…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 27, 2024

Panelists offer cautious optimism on HOME and other city land use changes

Local real estate and development professionals weighed in Wednesday on the potential impact of the city’s many recent changes in land use policy, which were intended to add housing stock and address the affordability problem that has affected the area…

Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 27, 2024

Broadnax considers service adjustments as 'tough' budget awaits

The Austin Monitor recently sat down with new Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax to discuss some of the more prominent issues facing city staff and City Council as he gets situated in his job. For the budget process as you’re going through…

City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 26, 2024

Resource Management Commission sets sights on natural gas utilities in bid to expand oversight

As the city prepares to renegotiate its contract with Texas Gas Service, Austin’s Resource Management Commission is vying for a seat at the table, with a proposal to expand its purview to include the utility’s oversight on its way to…

Energy • By Kali Bramble • Jun 26, 2024

Austin has a high rate of segregation between homeowners and renters, study finds

Renters and homeowners in the Austin metro live more sequestered from each other than in other U.S. cities, according to a study from Harvard University released last week. The Austin area has one of the highest levels of renter and homeowner…

Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jun 25, 2024

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