Council members are looking into need for increased funds for parks maintenance

Austin’s parkland acreage is growing along with the population – however, staffing for maintenance of those parks has not kept pace, according to a report discussed Wednesday among City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee. After comparing the number of parks…

Parks • By Jo Clifton • May 23, 2024

Wheatsville to close Guadalupe Street store that opened in 1981

Wheatsville Food Co-op – a local, member-owned natural food store operating in Austin since 1976 – plans to close its location on Guadalupe Street and focus on building smaller stores. In a special edition of Wheatsville’s newsletter, General Manager Bill Bickford…

Austin • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • May 23, 2024

Council tailors ETOD zoning, affordability requirements to maximize transit use

Included in last week’s slate of land use changes approved by City Council were adjustments to the density bonus incentives and other guidelines covering equitable transit-oriented developments intended to maximize usage of transit corridors throughout the city. Following the prior…

Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • May 23, 2024

Audit points out deficiencies in city’s criminal background checks

Although the city has improved its processes for conducting criminal background checks on prospective employees being considered for sensitive positions, a report from the city auditor’s office shows some gaps in the Human Resources Department’s process that could result in…

City Hall • By Jo Clifton • May 22, 2024

Transit, housing initiatives highlight accessibility concerns for disabled community

Advocates for disabled people in Austin want to ensure upcoming major changes to the local transportation network and housing market don’t exclude those with physical, visual or hearing impairments. A discussion on Tuesday at the Austin office of the advocacy…

Transit • By Chad Swiatecki • May 22, 2024

Water quality plan draws opposition from Reed Park neighbors

A water quality improvement project slated for a West Austin neighborhood park has sparked controversy among Tarrytown neighbors opposed to the prospect of losing an informal ball field to a biofiltration pond for stormwater runoff. Reed Neighborhood Park, given to…

Water • By Amy Smith • May 22, 2024

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Affordable housing complex competes for space with a church in Payton Gin zoning change

Planning Commission members have embraced an affordable housing project in North Austin despite concerns from the church it will replace. Developers plan to build a 100 percent affordable, six-story, 192-unit apartment complex at 1706 Payton Gin Road using the city’s…

Housing • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 22, 2024

Following HOME 2 passage, advocates seek Council action on short-term rentals

Members of the Tourism Commission are pushing City Council to move forward with an agreement with short-term rental platforms that could make it possible for the city to more easily regulate the thousands of unlicensed homes operating as lodging businesses…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • May 21, 2024

Developing a former summer camp proves to be more than a seasonal project

Efforts to redevelop a former ranch and summer camp in Northwest Austin have hit another snag with the city’s Historic Landmark Commission, which has voted for a second time to postpone the convoluted case. The house at 7304 Knox Lane…

Preservation • By Kali Bramble • May 21, 2024

Travis County will turn family's ranch into 1,500 acres of public parkland

Travis County commissioners plan to add about 1,500 acres to the county’s wilderness parklands, protecting the pristine land from development and setting it up as a future destination for hikers and bicyclists. The $90 million deal to purchase a privately…

Parks • By Sangita Menon, KUT • May 21, 2024

Auditor’s report points out difficulties with 911 call taking

As a result of complaints citizens made about problems they had connecting with the city’s 911 service during emergencies, City Council members Alison Alter and Vanessa Fuentes requested that the Office of the City Auditor look into how the Austin…

Public Safety • By Jo Clifton • May 21, 2024

Vacant downtown storefronts eyed for arts, music activations to reverse downturn

Seeking to bring more foot traffic to an area with an increasing number of vacant storefronts, the Downtown Austin Alliance is working to partner local artists and musicians with property owners interested in exposing their spaces to new potential businesses.…

Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • May 20, 2024

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