Tovo attempts to change how city hands out fee waivers for events

Council Member Kathie Tovo took a stab Thursday at shifting the way that the City of Austin pays for fee waivers it awards to major events. Though she was ultimately unsuccessful in changing the current policy, Tovo laid the groundwork…

Council approves creation of Cascades MUD on first reading

Although the city has long objected to creation of Municipal Utility Districts in its extra-territorial jurisdiction, Council voted 5-2 last night to approve the Cascades MUD in southeast Travis County.   Council Members Laura Morrison and Kathie Tovo were opposed.…

Report says key to Austin’s economic success is staying on top

Austin’s economy – if statistical rankings can be believed – is currently among the best in the country. Judging by those rankings, the city is at or near the top of many publications’ lists for job creation, business environment, places…

Hays County loses $400K in real estate sale

SAN MARCOS— With the opening of the Hays County Government Center in early 2012, county employees began their exodus to the newly constructed $50 million government complex leaving four downtown county buildings empty in San Marcos.   After nearly two…

BoA wrangles over short-term rentals in North University

Undeterred by a lack of neighborhood concern, the Board of Adjustment continued its fight against short-term rentals in the North University Neighborhood Monday night.   Though the board approved a variance at 204 West 33rd St., they attached a condition…

Council to study homestead preservation districts to boost affordability

Austin City Council members are set to consider a measure today instructing city staff to begin evaluating whether the city could use homestead preservation districts as a tool to promote affordability. Council Member Mike Martinez is the sponsor of the…

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Travis Commissioners approve plans for new office building

The Travis County Commissioners Court approved design plans Tuesday for the county’s planned office building at corner of 11th and San Antonio streets. The plans for the building, which will house the District Attorney’s Office, were approved by unanimous vote.…

Travis County Commissioners back LCRA emergency drought order

Travis County Commissioners voted Tuesday to back the Lower Colorado River Authority’s 2014 emergency drought order that would again limit the release of Highland Lakes water to agriculture interests downstream.   The three-member Texas Commission on Environmental Quality are expected…

Appeal allows Co-op to move Dabney-Horne House

There have been plenty of twists and turns along the way, but it looks like plans to move the historic Dabney-Horne House 12 feet are fairly unstoppable, due to a scheduling problem.   The case has been in and out…

Council considers details of lowering housing occupancy cap

Austin City Council members Tuesday continued to explore a potential change in development rules that lowers the city’s occupancy cap from six to four unrelated persons. Though the measure, brought by Council Member Mike Martinez, is aimed squarely at what…

SH45 Southwest gaining steam with federal funding removal

The construction of State Highway 45 Southwest could come sooner rather than later, bypassing lengthy, stringent federal reviews, now that CAMPO, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, has stripped the $100 million project of federal funding. Without federal dollars, the…

Renewable energy pioneer retires from Austin Energy

Michael Osborne, long-time entrepreneur, author, and renewable-energy pioneer in Texas, is turning another page in his storied career.   Over the past four decades, Osborne has built energy-friendly homes; developed the first wind farm in Texas; helped form the Texas…