Downtown tree canopy only 14 percent according to city survey

The long-awaited results of a downtown tree survey prompted by the city’s Heritage Tree Ordinance are in.   Last week, Environmental Board members got their first view of the completed survey, which will be used to help the city’s boards…

Environment • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 22, 2013

Despite opposition, Daugherty aiming to get SH45SW back on track today

Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty hopes to take a major step today to get his fellow Commissioners to endorse building the controversial SH45 Southwest roadway between South MoPac Boulevard and FM 1626. The roadway has been in the planning stages for…

Development • By Mark Richardson • Oct 22, 2013

Board of Adjustment denies variance to illegally built apartment

The Board of Adjustment took a hard line last week, voting that an illegally built apartment building will have to come down. Board members didn’t pull any punches, as they unanimously rejected a variance that would have allowed the apartment…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 21, 2013

Council again postpones action on 24-hour access to hike-and-bike trails

A battle over whether three segments of the City of Austin’s hike-and-bike trails should remain open will last at least another week, after City Council members postponed a vote on an ordinance that would end the pilot program. However, that…

Local Politics • By Adam Schragin • Oct 18, 2013

Council to update density benefit regulations for Rainey Street area

Austin City Council members Thursday OK’d the start of a process that will result in a set of changes to the way that developers can exchange extra project density for community benefits in the area in and around Rainey Street.…

Development • By Michael Kanin • Oct 18, 2013

Watershed Protection Ordinance gets first rewrite in 28 years

City Council members took something of a strange path getting there but in the end, they approved the first major changes to the city’s Watershed Protection Ordinance since 1986 on a 7-0 vote.   Because the ordinance rewrite also involved…

Environment • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 18, 2013

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City Council to take up battle over Urban Farms Ordinance

A fight over revisions to the city’s Urban Farm Ordinance has made its way to City Council, but with a postponement looming, that fight may not be over quite yet.   Opponents to ordinance changes are calling for a postponement,…

Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 17, 2013

City Council gets review of progress on Urban Rail Program

Austin City Council members received a set of updated Urban Rail statistics Tuesday. The presentation offered a glimpse at the ongoing process as staff and Mayor Lee Leffingwell did their level best to drive home the point that a route…

Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Oct 17, 2013

Council looks at compromise on Rainey Street density bonus plan

Austin City Council members returned Tuesday to the question of how to calculate public amenities associated with density bonuses for projects located in the Rainey Street neighborhood downtown. As part of the discussion – postponed from Council’s last agenda –…

Development • By Michael Kanin • Oct 17, 2013

Travis Commissioners balk at plan to use tax districts for Lone Star Rail

Travis County Commissioners were asked to get on board with developing a funding mechanism for the Lone Star Rail District’s future operations on Tuesday, but the plan may be in for a bumpy ride, as some commissioners say they need…

Local Government • By Mark Richardson • Oct 16, 2013

Council, police chief clash over district representative assignments

Austin City Council members continued to do battle amongst themselves and with Police Chief Art Acevedo Tuesday over lingering issues associated with the opening of three segments of city hike and bike trails to 24-hour traffic. It all comes against…

Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Oct 16, 2013

Council members, City Manager discuss limits on policy directives

Two attempts at dealing with a pending city crackdown on ornamentation of gravesites in city-owned cemeteries forced Council members Tuesday into a wider discussion over the limits of their purview when it comes to directions for City Manager Marc Ott.…

Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Oct 16, 2013

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