City seeks feedback on density, planning framework for South Central district

The city has released the plan intended to shape the development of the southern shoreline of Lady Bird Lake and beyond, with public input sought until March 20. City Council is expected to consider the South Central Waterfront Combining District…

City breaks ground on the Barton Springs bathhouse

Many years in the making, rehabilitation of the Barton Springs bathhouse is scheduled for a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. today. While the majority of attendees will surely cheer for the improvements the city promises under the Barton Springs Pool…

Austin-area school board president abruptly resigns and leaves meeting

Del Valle ISD’s board meeting kicked off with a major announcement on Tuesday: Board President Rebecca Birch said she was resigning, effective immediately. She had served on the board for nearly 12 years and spent more than half of that…

Tourism Commission considers how to grow hotel taxes beyond convention business

The Tourism Commission has turned its attention to how tourist attractions throughout the city could work collectively to increase the average hotel stay, which would gradually lead to substantial increases in Hotel Occupancy Tax revenues. At last week’s meeting, the…

Committee hears about need for more rental assistance money

Members of the City Council Housing and Planning Committee heard about the dire straits that many renters face, not just in Austin but across the country. Community displacement prevention officer Nefertitti Jackmon told the committee on Tuesday that the program…

St. David’s snags Planning Commission approval to expand South Austin presence

St. David’s HealthCare is one step closer to redeveloping a medical office building near its South Austin hospital, nearly quadrupling the square footage. The Planning Commission unanimously approved a rezoning request on Feb. 13 that would allow St. David’s to…

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Austin area has dangerously high levels of air pollution, according to new EPA standards

The Environmental Protection Agency has announced long-awaited updates to air quality standards for fine particulate matter, also known as “soot,” pollution. The new, tighter limits mean some places that previously had acceptable levels of pollution are no longer meeting health…

MACC funds not cut, Council member reports

A report to City Council that funding was cut for the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center turned out to be a misunderstanding. Larry Amaro, a member of the MACC board, told Council at Thursday’s meeting that a number…

Council votes to aid Blues on the Green, explore more event sponsorships

The city has stepped forward to revive the Blues on the Green concert series held annually in Zilker Park and will look at how to support or possibly co-sponsor other music festivals or cultural events throughout the city in the…

Council approves climate funding and telework policies

Austin’s environmental activists don’t always agree with one another on local policy issues, but they spoke with one voice Thursday in support of a resolution to beef up funding for the city’s many ambitious climate plans. As expected, City Council…

Landmark commissioners seek recourse for TxDOT's threat to Edward Rendon Sr. Park

As Austinites brace themselves for nearly a decade of construction on Interstate 35, the Historic Landmark Commission is joining forces with activists resisting demolition of a historic pecan grove in East Austin’s Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach. The…

Tourism Commission proposes easier licensing among short-term rental solutions

The Tourism Commission has given City Council a list of 10 recommendations regarding the growing short-term rental economy. It stops short of pushing for formal agreements with vacation rental websites such as Airbnb and Vrbo. The recommendations, which were created…