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2015 budget rollout shows Austin economy poised for more growth
Like a pep rally before the big game, the Austin City Council’s FY2015 Budget Report started with a glowing report from Texas Perspective’s Jon Hockenyos that has become the norm in recent years, and built to a crescendo of cheers…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 25, 2014
Martinez proposes that city issue debt to buy out flooded homes
Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez will announce a proposal at 10 a.m. today that would have the potential of greatly accelerating buyouts for homeowners whose houses were damaged or destroyed in last year’s Halloween floods on Onion Creek. …
Development • By Michael Kanin • Apr 25, 2014
Audit finds problems with how APD stores, destroys old evidence
A city audit found that drugs and firearms confiscated by the Austin Police Department are in some cases not adequately protected, with drugs sometimes stored in cardboard boxes outdoors. In response, APD officials say they are re-evaluating the department’s…
Public Safety • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 24, 2014
City management plans tax cut, 3.5 percent employee raise
City management’s plan for the FY2015 City of Austin budget contains a 0.7 cent property tax reduction, a 3.5 percent raise for city civilian employees, and limited fee and tax increases. According to city figures, the monthly increase for…
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Apr 24, 2014
Neighbors upset over subdivision of lots in eastern Travis County
A landowner’s request to divide a two-acre lot in the Estates of Wilbarger Creek into two one-acre lots has riled up some neighbors, who say they moved out to the picturesque preserve in east Travis County to enjoy the wide…
Development • By Mark Richardson • Apr 23, 2014
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Austin Energy to build $67 million office building in East Riverside area
Facing continued cramped quarters and a big-dollar lease, Austin Energy officials say they hope next week to take a major step toward construction of a new office building for the city’s electric utility. Austin Energy officials plan to ask…
Development • By Bill McCann • Apr 23, 2014
Board rejects setback variance, says small house is too big for its lot
It’s a really small house, but according to members of the Board of Adjustment, it’s too big for the lot. A request for a second setback variance for an East Austin home failed to win sufficient support from the board…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 22, 2014
Eco Development staff pitches city incentive plan for film producers
City of Austin Economic Development staff briefed City Council members Thursday on a proposed new set of incentives aimed at creative industries such as film, television and computer gaming. The package, set for a vote May 1, would offer production…
Development • By Michael Kanin • Apr 22, 2014
Board of Adjustment postpones variance for title loan company
The Board of Adjustment is taking extra time to consider a case that could test the city’s new ordinance regulating payday lenders. One company, Texas Title Loans, is complaining that the law is being improperly applied to them retroactively. …
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 22, 2014
Critics say taxpayers, not drivers will have to pay for SH45 SW
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority says a preliminary Traffic and Revenue Forecast for the planned State Highway 45 Southwest it released recently will stand as the final report, showing that the road project is financially feasible. But critics of…
Environment • By Mark Richardson • Apr 21, 2014
ZAP rejects variance and zoning request for Del Valle development
Acknowledging staff concerns that a plan for a Del Valle development conflicted with one of the basic principles of Imagine Austin, the Zoning and Platting Commission rejected a variance and subdivision request Tuesday night. But Cuatro Consultants Engineer Hugo…
