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Travis Commissioners vote to spend $15 million on SH45 SW

The Travis County Commissioners Court approved spending $15 million in county funds Tuesday toward a plan to extend the southwest portion of State Highway 45 from the end of MoPac Boulevard to FM 1626. The vote fulfilled Travis County’s part…

Morrison says she will not run for Mayor

Council Member Laura Morrison, who has served on the Austin City Council for nearly six years and has been considered a likely candidate for Mayor on the November ballot told the Austin Monitor today that she has decided against the…

Solar project draws praise at Generation Plan hearing

Solar energy advocates were still buzzing Monday at the recent news that Austin Energy has negotiated a 25-year contract to buy up to 150 megawatts of solar-generated electricity at a price that is among the lowest ever.   A number…

New LCRA manager reorganizes agency, introduces new team

Phil Wilson, the new general manager at the Lower Colorado River Authority, is wasting no time in making high-level changes to the power and water agency. He sent out a message to LCRA employees last week outlining his approach and…

SOS files criminal charge against Daugherty over SH45 SW information

Bill Bunch, executive director of the Save Our Springs Alliance, filed a criminal complaint Monday against Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty. The complaint signed by Bunch was filed on behalf of SOS with County Attorney David Escamilla.   SOS alleges…

Council approves zoning changes for Rob Roy multifamily project

Despite the opposition of neighborhood residents, the City Council voted unanimously on March 6 to approve changes to land use rules that would allow developers to build a multifamily project.   Rob Roy residents were on hand at last week’s…

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Board of Adjustment to look at tram regulations on Lake Austin

The Board of Adjustment will take a closer look at whether trams should be allowed on Lake Austin, even if they have to take a longer route to get there.   The subject arose at last week’s board’s meeting when…

Despite tragedy, the beat goes on at SXSW

After an early morning tragedy that left two people dead and sent 23 others to local hospitals, stunned city officials spent most of Thursday working through the grief and trying to keep the South by Southwest Music festival on track.…

Building a foot too far could put East Austin resident out of bounds

What initially seemed like a small mistake could ultimately prove costly for one East Austin homeowner.   Eastside resident Cayce Weems returned to the Board of Adjustment  Monday asking for rear and side street setback for his house at 403…

County may join city in developing local sobriety center

Travis County Commissioners took a step Tuesday toward developing a sobriety center for the Austin area. The resolution passed unanimously, though it came with a few caveats.   Commissioners instructed their staff to work with the City of Austin and…

Planning Commission won’t amend NCCD to fix permit mistake

The Planning Commission has shot down a city staff scheme to fix a mistake that left a neighborhood business in limbo.   Though the request was solely to initiate an amendment to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Conservation Combining District (NCCD,)…

Travis County still working on finalizing flood buyout program

Four and a half months after the devastating Halloween floods, the county still doesn’t have a definitive buyout plan for all of the affected properties in the Bluff Springs Road area.   After an hour of public discussion, and even…