EUC rejects bid to join battle over reduced value of solar rate

While solar advocates continue to be upset over Austin Energy’s decision to reduce a rate used to compensate residential customers for the value of electricity generated by their solar units, the Electric Utility Commission has decided against joining the fight.…

Board of Adjustment does remedial work on Lake Austin regulations

Continuing to grapple with being thrown into the deep end of Lake Austin regulations, the Board of Adjustment took a closer look at their new responsibilities at a specially-called meeting last week.   Changes in process flummoxed the board at…

EUC backs plan to shift all franchise fees to suburban customers

For months, consumer watchdog Paul Robbins has been pushing a proposal to have suburban customers of Austin Energy pay the total cost of franchise fees that the utility pays to six suburban municipalities for use of public rights-of-way in those…

Commissioners still pondering prevailing wage questions

Travis County Commissioners found themselves in the middle of tug-of-war Tuesday over proposed policy changes to the county’s Economic Development and Construction Procurement Practices. The issue of the county requiring a prevailing wage of $11 per hour for all construction…

ZAP approves multifamily zoning despite Rob Roy opposition

A gamble on a reduced Zoning and Platting Commission paid off for developers of a controversial West Austin project. The property is currently undeveloped and located at 800 North Capital of Texas Highway, also known as Loop 360. The land…

Planning Commission opposes ending covenant to allow condos

Prospective developers of an East Austin tract might have to come up with another plan after the Planning Commission declined to recommend terminating a restrictive covenant on the property.   Paul Saustraup asked to terminate the restrictive covenant at 1120…

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Council postpones hearing, vote on Holly Shores Park to Jan. 30

City Council members postponed a planned public hearing and vote last Thursday on the redevelopment of Festival Beach on Lady Bird Lake into the Holly Shores/Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach.   The hearing and vote were postponed until…

Council approves metered parking plan at Butler Shores park

After a City Council vote last week, plans to meter parking at the Butler Shores Ball Field parking lot in South Austin are moving forward.   Council approved the plan in a 6-1 vote, with Council Member Kathie Tovo voting…

Council endorses Highland Mall-East Riverside Urban Rail route

Austin City Council members Thursday night endorsed a plan by transportation officials to pursue an urban rail line that extends south from the Highland Mall region, through the city center, and east out East Riverside Drive. The move begins a…

City buys Hays County land to block development over aquifer

Austin City Council members Thursday unanimously approved the $18 million acquisition of land in Hays County that might otherwise have been developed as the Jeremiah Ventures project. With the move, Council members eliminated a long-running fight over grandfathering rules, environmental…

Council endorses Lone Star Rail but hangs on to the money

Lone Star Rail will move forward with the backing of the Austin City Council, though not with any of the city’s money just yet.   In a 6-1 vote, the City Council authorized the city’s participation in the Lone Star…

Council moves ahead on plans to overhaul Auditorium Shores

Despite talk of postponing their decision in the face of public scrutiny, City Council members moved forward with plans to rehabilitate Auditorium Shores Thursday night.   “Delays into January, when work is supposed to start this month, it triggers a…