Commissioners kick off overhaul of special events permitting

Travis County Commissioners Court took a big step Tuesday toward reforming the mass-gathering permitting process for large special events. The commissioners voted unanimously to open the issue to public comment for the required 30 days before making any final changes.…

Affordable housing bans smoking, possibly truancy

Board commissioners with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin approved a motion Thursday that will change the leasing requirements for its public housing tenants. Now, if residents are caught smoking more than four times in non-designated areas, they will…

Austin Monitor Radio: Accessory Dwelling Units

Council members Pio Renteria and Ann Kitchen join Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to talk Accessory Dwelling Units. Sponosored by Kerbey Lane Cafe. Show is embedded below:

Citing criticisms, Council delays new drainage fee

Despite a request from staff to adopt a new drainage charge by the end of the month, City Council is delaying action until the middle of June with the hope that its Public Utility Committee will be able to address…

Committee loosens requirements for ADUs

Members of the Committee on Codes and Ordinances voted Tuesday to make it easier for residents to build accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. The ordinance, approved on a unanimous vote, does away with many of the parking provisions some said…

Council runs up against time-sensitive contracts

While City Council members requested more time to better understand two contracts with city departments Thursday, city staff argued that these agreements were time-sensitive and urged members to avoid further delays. The first item asked Council to approve a contract allowing Austin…

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Reporter's Notebook: Concerns about concerns about concerns

Queen of Zoning exits City Hall stage… Betty Baker, the chief author of Austin’s historic preservation program as well as the first and only chair of the city’s 14-year-old Zoning and Platting Commission, said goodbye to her friends at the…

Council increases CodeNEXT advisory group, ANC still chagrined

The Land Development Code rewrite team is about to get a lot more voices. City Council voted unanimously Thursday to increase the size of the CodeNEXT Citizen Advisory Group at its regular meeting. This resolution, sponsored by Council Member Greg…

Council extends large energy contracts

Following extensive deliberation, City Council voted Thursday to extend long-term contracts for Austin Energy’s two largest customers for six months and permanently revise the way the utility calculates rates for a third major customer. The move effectively keeps rates for…

Council moves towards higher minimum wage

The city of Austin inched closer to a higher minimum wage for its employees Thursday. City Council members voted to direct City Manager Marc Ott to consider a minimum wage raise when he sits down to craft the coming year’s…

AISD educators ask for $24 million more

Employees from every area of the Austin Independent School District asked for higher wages Monday night. The most popular request came with a $24.5 million price tag. As in past meetings, Education Austin, an AISD teachers union, continued to advocate for an across-the-board 5…

Council pushes ahead on taxicab contracts, co-op

City Council concluded another chapter in the current taxicab franchise renewal saga Thursday, voting to tentatively renew contracts with the city’s three service providers and amend related regulations. It also directed city staff to explore creating a fourth, cooperative franchise.…