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Most Popular Stories
- Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
- Texas lawmakers finalize bill limiting property owners’ right to protest new homes nearby
- A multi-family rezoning at the rugged edge of Northwest Austin
- As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
- Austin ISD eliminating jobs at its central office to reduce budget deficit
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CTRMA advances park-and-ride plan
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is charting a path pocked with bureaucracy toward a set of brand new park-and-rides along its toll roads and express lanes. On Tuesday, the agency’s board of directors gave staff the green light to…
Transportation • By Caleb Pritchard • Dec 1, 2016
Union protests some new HR rules
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has expressed concern about language in proposed amendments to the city’s policy regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation and employee conduct. The rules opposed by the union, which represents city employees, include language…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Dec 1, 2016
City attorney presence could be scaled down at land-use commission meetings
The city’s land-use commissions may lose their on-call legal counsel, according to Mitzi Cotton, assistant division chief at the Law Department, who presented at the Nov. 29 joint meeting of the Planning Commission and the Zoning and Platting Commission. After…
City Hall • By Joseph Caterine • Dec 1, 2016
New library cost could climb to $126 million with Council's OK
City Council will consider what is hoped to be the final spending increase for the long-in-the-works Austin Central Library on Thursday, with the total price tag for the project set to fall somewhere just under $126.6 million. The agenda item…
City Council • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 30, 2016
Legislature makes tax caps a priority, cities respond
Well-worn battle lines between the city and state were retraced Tuesday, as the Texas Legislature made it clear that it would be making property tax caps a priority this session. The response from area cities was just as clear. Sen.…
Texas State Legislature • By Elizabeth Pagano • Nov 30, 2016
Commissioners Court tackles sanctuary communities, sexual assault in jail, and Trump
Uncertainty over federal immigration policy following the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump nearly derailed plans to fight back against sexual assault in Travis County jails. At its regular voting session on Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted 3-2 to…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Nov 30, 2016
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Adler, Renteria in Mexico on trade, climate mission
Mayor Steve Adler and City Council Member Pio Renteria are on a two-pronged mission to Mexico this week – strengthening Austin’s economic ties with Mexico and championing efforts to combat climate change. In a prepared statement, Adler said, “Economic growth…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Nov 30, 2016
Historic zoning debate reaches new heights at BoA
Are brand-new houses just as eligible for historic zoning as older homes? The answer may not surprise you: No, they are not. The fact that this question was the subject of a half-hour discussion at the Board of Adjustment, however,…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Nov 29, 2016
Politics, money at play even in polling places
The Dec. 13 runoff between incumbent City Council Member Sheri Gallo and challenger Alison Alter will cost the city about $470,000, according to City Clerk Jannette Goodall. That amount accounts for about 50 percent of the cost of the joint…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • Nov 29, 2016
City works to create more aggressive response to major floods
As Austin adjusts to the reality of major flooding on a regular basis, City Council is working to create a more comprehensive set of policies to respond to the damage caused by heavy rainstorms. Last year, Council created a Flood…
Environment • By Cate Malek • Nov 29, 2016
Commissioners Court could choose critic for Central Health board
The Travis County Commissioners Court is officially thinking about putting an outspoken critic of Central Health on the hospital district’s board of managers. On Tuesday, the court will interview attorney Fred Lewis for the open position along with three other…
Local Government • By Caleb Pritchard • Nov 29, 2016
Virtual reality expected to help city attract billions in foreign investment
Through the use of virtual reality, the city of Austin is turning to the thriving local video game industry to help attract overseas investors and billions of dollars in new economic development money. The hope is that local developers can…
