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Sign Board postpones confounding variance case

After calling the plan “confusing” and “difficult to follow,” the Sign Review Board voted unanimously Monday to postpone consideration on a variance package to allow larger signs at an Austin hospital. The sign plan sought multiple variances for four signs…

Austin • By Gene Davis • Jan 13, 2015

Fate of Crestview land parcel remains in limbo

Though the fate of an Austin Energy-owned parcel of land in the Crestview neighborhood remains uncertain, there was an update about 6909 Ryan Drive last month. Planning and Development Review Department Director Greg Guernsey wrote the Dec. 10 memo that provided…

Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 13, 2015

New preservation district on hold after staff error

The Bluebonnet Hills preservation district will be returning to the Historic Landmark Commission this month, after a determination that the city did not give proper notice for the hearing. When the district was before the Historic Landmark Commission in November,…

Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 12, 2015

Watershed Protection outlines salamander plan

Watershed Protection Department staff dived into the details of the city’s Habitat Management Plan on Wednesday. The plan will protect the Barton Springs salamander and the Austin blind salamander, two federally endangered species known to live exclusively in Barton Springs.…

Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jan 12, 2015

Court looks to limit rise in TravCo health care costs

With annual cost overruns projected to be more than $7 million this fiscal year, Travis County Commissioners are looking at ways to curb the skyrocketing cost of providing health care for employees and retirees. According to figures prepared by county staff, health…

Austin • By Mark Richardson • Jan 12, 2015

Explainer: D6 & D10 — elections and the future

Each week, the Explainer offers Monitor readers a closer look at stories we have been following. New City Council Members Sheri Gallo (District 10) and Don Zimmerman (District 6) represent two-thirds of what is perhaps the most interesting twist in…

Austin • By Michael Kanin • Jan 12, 2015

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New Council plans change to meetings, committees

Wasting no time, Austin’s newly inaugurated City Council launched into a proposal Thursday to change its meetings and committee structures. The changes, members say, will make for a more efficient, more transparent city government. For now, the details of the…

Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 9, 2015

Aquifer district cancels SH45 meeting with TxDOT

The Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District postponed a planned meeting Thursday at which the district’s board planned to consider a controversial agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation regarding construction of State Highway 45 Southwest. Aquifer board officials said…

Environment • By Mark Richardson • Jan 9, 2015

Adler wants group to study campaign finance rules

New Austin Mayor Steve Adler wants a group of reform-minded citizens to consider whether Austin needs to tweak its campaign finance rules. He has already talked to attorney Fred Lewis about helping with the project. Lewis, with a background in…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • Jan 9, 2015

Leffingwell says new Council will face challenges

Lee Leffingwell has now retired after serving for four years on the Austin City Council and nearly six years as mayor. The Austin Monitor recently asked him to talk about his favorite part of the job. “I tell people all…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • Jan 9, 2015

Zimmerman libel suit against Bulldog dismissed

Less than 24 hours after being sworn in to office as the new District 6 representative, City Council Member Don Zimmerman had his lawsuit against the Austin Bulldog dismissed and was ordered to pay court costs and attorney’s fees. Zimmerman…

Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 8, 2015

District 8's Troxclair vows to be accessible leader

New City Council Member Ellen Troxclair won the District 8 seat by less than half a percentage point. Now, fresh from vacation, she said she’s ready to hit the ground running. “I’m so humbled to be in the position I…

Austin • By Kara Nuzback • Jan 8, 2015

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