Cemetery chapel plans delight and irritate

Plans to restore a 100-year-old city-owned chapel in Oakwood Cemetery sailed through the Historic Landmark Commission at its last meeting. But future plans for the East Austin chapel have some people worried. The Parks and Recreation Department was seeking a…

CTRMA approves plush FY 2016 budget

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority board of directors unanimously accepted the 2016 fiscal year budget Wednesday, and it is expecting to have about 123 percent of operating expenditures in reserves by June 30 next year. Chief Financial Officer Bill…

BoA says impervious cover can stay

Though it attached lectures and conditions, the Board of Adjustment has ruled that a Brykerwoods home can keep its impervious cover. The owners of a house at 1800 West 29th St. were seeking a variance to allow the current 53…

Austin Monitor Radio: Groundwater with BSEACD's John Dupnik

Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District General Manager John Dupnik joins Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk groundwater, groundwater policy, and much more.

Austin Energy, East Austinites talk solar project

Although solar panels are designed to soak up the sun, Austin Energy spokesperson Carlos Cordova says the utility wants its upcoming local solar project to be “reflective” of the East Austin community that will be its home. Austin Energy inked…

Parks Department collects more from special events ticket sales

The city of Austin collected more than double the previous year’s amount of money from Austin City Limits Music Festival ticket sales last year, following a new fee schedule adopted by City Council starting in the 2013-2014 budget year. In…

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Worried neighbors win over commissioners in East Austin zoning case

Last week, neighbors stayed past midnight at the Planning Commission to protest a zoning change on “Death Hill,” as it’s locally known. Their concerns about safety, traffic and gentrification in that area of East Austin resonated with commissioners, who overwhelmingly…

Home of legendary UT coach remains in limbo

After a trip through the Planning Commission last week, the fate of famed University of Texas track coach Clyde Littlefield’s former house remains uncertain. Commissioners voted 4-3 to deny historic zoning for the West Campus home, with Chair Danette Chimenti…

Private-party permitting process is a go

After several months without word on progress, a resolution to create a permit process for private parties is moving forward. The resolution, passed last October, was in response to neighborhood complaints about parties in the West Campus area near the…

TCEQ upholds lake release limits

Despite recent wet weather, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality affirmed an emergency order Wednesday that extends limits on downstream releases from lakes Travis and Buchanan. The move comes in response to a request from the Lower Colorado River Authority…

CTRMA hears SH45 SW impact may be overblown

While many public entities have already voiced their concerns about State Highway 45 Southwest’s possible environmental consequences, a consultant with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority said the anxiety might be misplaced. At Wednesday’s regular meeting, Michael Barrett presented CTRMA’s…

Austin involved in two battles over water rates

The Austin Water Utility is engaged in two different battles over water rates. One fight is with wholesale water and wastewater customers who have challenged rates adopted by City Council in 2013. According to AWU Assistant Director David Anders, this…