Travis County seeks new way to appoint attorneys for poor defendants

Travis County is considering revamping its system to assign court-appointed attorneys. For years, its system was a model for defending the poor. But now, judges and staff are looking west for a new model to adapt to the county’s needs,…

Local Government • By Jimmy Maas • Apr 17, 2014

Artz Rib House project shows difficulty with remodeling plans

Though there were strong indications that some Board of Adjustment members are among those missing a restaurant where Artz Rib House once stood, they will have to wait along with everyone else for a proposed remodel to get sorted with…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 17, 2014

Hays County plans $1 million study to examine FM 150 realignment

As Hays County’s population continues to grow, officials are scrambling for needed infrastructure and improvements aimed at addressing the projected influx of new residents. Hays County Commissioners previously approved $1.1 million in funding for the realignment study of FM 150. The…

Local Government • By Andy Sevilla • Apr 16, 2014

Capital Metro hears proposals to redevelop Plaza Saltillo area

It’s a familiar headline at this point, but more change is coming to East Austin.   After years of planning and discussion, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is on the verge of selecting a development plan for the Plaza Saltillo area.…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 16, 2014

Morrison wary of adding private institutions to Intelligence Center

A proposal to include a handful of new police organizations as members of the Austin Regional Intelligence Center, called the ARIC, raised a red flag for Council Member Laura Morrison Tuesday.   Morrison didn’t appear to have an objection to…

Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Apr 16, 2014

Planning Commission split over upzoning for West Austin office

Residents of a West Austin neighborhood want the Planning Commission to prevent a local business from changing the small office zoning on their residence to Mixed Use, which does not comply with the neighborhood plan.   The owners of the…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 15, 2014

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe

Halloween flood report points to shortcomings of emergency response

An after-action report on the City of Austin and Travis County’s response to the Halloween flood released last week said that there were myriad serious problems with the response to the emergency. Chief among them was a lack of ability…

Public Safety • By Mark Richardson • Apr 15, 2014

Planning Commission backs amendments, new Lake Austin Overlay

Upcoming changes for Lake Austin may have gotten a unanimous nod from the Planning Commission, but beneath the placid surface of that recommendation was a lot of consternation.   The Planning Commission had discussed the proposed Lake Austin Overlay amendments…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 15, 2014

Commission OKs recycling, composting plan for mobile food trucks

A city panel is working to encourage recycling and composting among Austin’s myriad mobile food trucks.   The Zero Waste Advisory Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend amending city code to allow food trucks to use unattached trash receptacles, a…

Environment • By Kara Nuzback • Apr 14, 2014

Public Safety Commissioner criticizes APD’s sting operations

A member of the city’s Public Safety Commission is criticizing the Austin Police Department’s tactics in two recent sting operations in the downtown area. Commissioner Kent Anschutz last week accused police of clogging the jails and courts with people accused…

Public Safety • By Gene Davis • Apr 14, 2014

Council hears early report on future of boards and commissions

Austin City Council members appeared generally receptive to a host of potential changes to the structure of the city’s many – some say too many – boards and commissions. Still, as the Boards and Commission Transition Taskforce, which has become…

Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Apr 14, 2014

Planning Commission hears pros, cons of Megabus permit

Austin Megabus, the low-cost intercity transit company, will be making a return stop at the Planning Commission next month in order to address the concerns of unhappy neighbors.   Megabus NE, LLC was seeking a Conditional Use Permit from the…

Transportation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 11, 2014

« Previous Page — Next Page »