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

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

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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…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 21, 2014

Council postpones decision on former Austin State School property

With only six City Council members on the dais, the vote on a contentious West  Austin zoning case was a draw Thursday night, pushing off further a decision that has been years in the making.                     Developers are asking for…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 18, 2014

Council backs code amendment to require landlords to take vouchers

Austin City Council members Thursday initiated a code amendment process that could end in the approval of the inclusion of source of income as a protected class for the purposes of determining rental housing discrimination complaints. Staff is set to…

Development • By Michael Kanin • Apr 18, 2014

Surprise Council mid-year evaluations of Ott, three others withdrawn

It seems that some City Council members were planning on giving City Manager Marc Ott – and perhaps others – a piece of their minds in private Thursday, but due to the absence of Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole, Mayor…

Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Apr 18, 2014

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