Commissioners to investigate loss of in-person jail visitation

Several members of the Travis County Commissioners Court say they were caught off guard Tuesday when they were told that in-person family visits at the Travis County Jail have been replaced by a video system. And a majority of commissioners…

Local Government • By Mark Richardson • Jan 15, 2014

Civil rights groups: Video jail visits too costly, may be violating civil rights

A two-way video conferencing system that has all but replaced in-person visits by friends and family members with those incarcerated at the Travis County Jail is coming under fire as being too expensive, too impersonal and possibly even dangerous to…

Local Government • By Mark Richardson • Jan 14, 2014

Proposed Northwest Austin restaurant fails to get ZAP backing

An even split at the Zoning and Platting Commission wasn’t enough to get a recommendation for a proposed Northwest Austin restaurant Tuesday night.   Developer Twelve Lakes LLC hopes to build the Austin Oaks Restaurant at 7601 Wood Hollow Drive.…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 13, 2014

Zoning and Planning Commission OKs water treatment plant variances

A proposed water treatment plant for Travis County Water Control and Improvement District 17 continues to clear city hurdles, despite staff’s concerns.   This past Tuesday, the Zoning and Platting Commission voted to approve variances that will allow increased impervious…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 13, 2014

ZAP denies fill variance for property in city’s northwest ETJ

The Zoning and Platting Commission, following the Environmental Board‘s lead and staff’s counsel, denied a variance Tuesday for a north Austin property that has been in violation of city regulations for years.   The site, at 15101 Debba Drive, is…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 10, 2014

Eckhardt criticizes McCombs for seeking tax breaks, suing appraisal district

Travis County Judge candidate Sarah Eckhardt continued her verbal campaign against billionaire businessman Red McCombs Thursday, taking him to task for asking taxpayers to contribute millions of dollars to build the Circuit of the Americas race track but going to…

Development • By Mark Richardson • Jan 10, 2014

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Landmark Commission endorses housing project for National Register

The Historic Landmark Commission has given its full blessing to an east-side housing project’s nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.   The nomination is for the Rosewood Courts, located at Chicon Street and Rosewood Avenue. The Texas Historic…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jan 9, 2014

Council members sign letter supporting reproductive rights law

Three Austin City Council members have sent a letter to members of Congress and the Texas Legislature, urging the passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act and the repeal of House Bill 2. Council Members Bill Spelman, Laura Morrison and…

Local Politics • By Mark Richardson • Jan 9, 2014

Memo cites major legal hurdles for city to get out of coal plant

The City of Austin faces formidable legal hurdles and potentially significant costs if the City Council decides to sell or shut down the city’s share of the coal-fired Fayette Power Project, according to a new city Law Department memo.  …

Resources • By Bill McCann • Jan 9, 2014

County, promoter at impasse over background checks at gun show

Travis County Commissioners and the promoter of the Saxet Gun Shows reached an impasse Tuesday over a contract provision that would require the promoter to perform background checks on all gun sales. Negotiations for a year’s lease to hold eight…

Local Government • By Jimmy Maas • Jan 8, 2014

Group files to campaign for Guadalupe-North Lamar rail corridor

A group calling itself Our Rail filed papers Monday with City Clerk Janette Goodall that will allow its members to campaign for ballot measures that would establish the Lamar-Guadalupe corridor as part of the initial design of the city’s Urban…

Elections • By Michael Kanin • Jan 8, 2014

Ott says 2013 brought both personal, professional accomplishments

City Manager Marc Ott says that, for him, 2013 had a lot of highlights.   Some were personal, like being the recipient of the Mark E. Keane Award for Career Excellence, which he received early in the year. That award…

Local Politics • By Jo Clifton • Jan 7, 2014

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