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Council sacrifices Old West Austin building for park improvements

A fourplex in Old West Austin is likely to be demolished despite a push by Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo to save it in the name of historic preservation. A resolution put forward by Tovo to initiate historic zoning on…

Preservation • By Jack Craver • Nov 15, 2016

Latest Champions rezoning victorious

As of Thursday, another chapter in the storied history of the Champions tract has been written. The public testimony against the case continued from the previous meeting, where opponents spoke for more than an hour against changing the zoning at…

Planning • By Elizabeth Pagano • Nov 15, 2016

Austin Monitor Radio: Election '16 Wrap

Austin Monitor editor Liz Pagano, politics editor Jo Clifton, and contributor Caleb Pritchard join publisher Mike Kanin to analyze the local results of the 2016 November elections. Audio embedded below.

City Council • By Michael Kanin • Nov 15, 2016

Commissioners Court hears about DNA unit's failures

The Travis County Commissioners Court heard a lengthy briefing last week about a catastrophic failure in how DNA evidence is tested in Austin. The 90-minute discussion was spurred by the closure of the Austin Police Department’s Forensic Services Division DNA…

Austin • By Caleb Pritchard • Nov 14, 2016

Despite law intended to ensure diversity, Travis County grand juries less racially diverse

In the year since Texas lawmakers mandated random selection of grand jurors in place of the controversial “key man” system, grand juries in Travis County have become less racially diverse. “The grand juries are to be selected at random from…

Courts • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Nov 14, 2016

Ethics Commission says voters have given Zimmerman a greater sanction than it ever could

Austin’s Ethics Commission dismissed a complaint against City Council Member Don Zimmerman on Nov. 9, saying there was no sanction it could give him greater than being voted out of office. Commissioners voted 5-3 in favor of the complainant. But,…

City Hall • By Cate Malek • Nov 14, 2016

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Reporter's Notebook: Sore losers and sour grapes

Ghosting on reporters… It’s probably never fun to take reporter’s calls after losing an election, but usually candidates are good sports about it. However, former City Council District 7 candidate Natalie Gauldin managed to ignore more than five phone calls throughout…

Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Nov 14, 2016

Citizens sound off on wastewater plan in Dripping Springs

Over 200 people packed the event center in Dripping Springs on Nov. 10 for what they said was their first real chance to get their questions answered about a proposal that would allow the city to discharge treated effluent into…

Environment • By Cate Malek • Nov 11, 2016

Council approves Cactus Rose mobile home park rezoning

After more than a year, residents of an East Austin mobile home park have reached a deal with developers looking to rebuild on the property. Some city leaders say the case could set a precedent for future development. About a…

Development • By Syeda Hasan • Nov 11, 2016

Pilot Knob zoning approved without fee waivers

With the threat of litigation hanging over their heads, City Council members on Thursday gave final approval to zoning for the Southeast Travis County Pilot Knob/Easton Park development. The vote was 9-1-1, with Council Member Don Zimmerman voting no and…

Development • By Jo Clifton • Nov 11, 2016

Austin loses appeal of appraisal district lawsuit

Texas’ 3rd Court of Appeals on Thursday firmly rejected the city of Austin’s attempt to get a judicial ruling on whether the alleged disparity between appraisals for residential property and commercial property meets constitutional muster. Led by Mayor Steve Adler,…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • Nov 11, 2016

Character, retention of businesses fuel expansion of Soul-y Austin

Though he works on the very same block, Josh Blaine had never been inside East Austin’s Vortex theater prior to attending a meeting of what is now the Manor Road Merchants Association. But as manager of the In.gredients neighborhood grocery…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 10, 2016

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