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Most Popular Stories
- Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
- Texas lawmakers finalize bill limiting property owners’ right to protest new homes nearby
- As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
- A multi-family rezoning at the rugged edge of Northwest Austin
- Austin ISD eliminating jobs at its central office to reduce budget deficit
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Proposal explores Urban Rail funding options through TOD zones
An item proposed by Council Members Mike Martinez and Chris Riley that, in part, creates a restricted fund to draw development-based dollars from construction around rail stations drew some concern from Council Member Laura Morrison Tuesday. If approved, the Martinez…
Development • By Michael Kanin • Oct 2, 2013
Local officials working to help voters get proper ID before Election Day
Local election officials plan to be very busy over the next week in an effort to identify as many of Travis County’s estimated 37,000 registered voters who do not have a photo ID. People with the county and the City of…
Elections • By Mark Richardson • Oct 2, 2013
New Watershed Protection Ordinance up for Council consideration
Austin City Council members may offer only limited approval to a series of dramatic changes to the city’s Watershed Protection Ordinance. The rewrite, a document that exchanges small allowances of additional impervious cover for more protection of the city’s creek…
Development • By Michael Kanin • Oct 2, 2013
Changes likely coming for Water Utility impact fees
Members of the Austin City Council began their periodic review of a set of fees set by the Austin Water Utility for new development with a fair amount of skepticism. At last week’s work session, Mayor Lee Leffingwell raised…
Resources • By Michael Kanin • Oct 1, 2013
Dove Springs group wants fresh food, limited alcohol at new store
Representatives from the Dove Springs community and Austin Interfaith are hoping that a zoning change can be a positive one, as they continue to work with the property owner to help create a small oasis in one of the city’s…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 1, 2013
Cole, Morrison question use of employee criminal background checks
An audit designed to examine the effectiveness of the city’s approach to criminal background checks has raised the ire of two City Council members, who thought they had removed such checks from city hiring protocol in 2008. At last…
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Sep 30, 2013
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Council agrees to allow loading and unloading in downtown alleys
After a surprisingly lengthy debate on the issue, the City Council agreed to continue to allow downtown businesses to use alleys for loading and unloading, legally. At first glance, the idea of using alleys for that purpose may not…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 30, 2013
Council approves SOS Ordinance variances for Garza Tract
After many years of debate and heartburn, members of the Austin City Council late Thursday night approved a set of Save Our Springs Ordinance variances for a stretch of land in Southwest Austin known as the Garza Tract. With the…
Development • By Michael Kanin • Sep 27, 2013
Council members approve changes to Short-Term Rental Ordinance
City Council approved tweaked regulations to the Short-Term Rental Ordinance that they hope will help smooth out the process, with debate over the issue Thursday turning out to be less contentious that many had expected. They voted 6-1 to…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 27, 2013
City Council postpones decision on 24-hour bicycle trails
Austin City Council members Thursday delayed until Oct. 17 a vote on whether to end 24-hour cyclist access to three segments of the city’s Hike and Bike Trail. In the meantime, Austin Police Department officials and representatives of the city’s…
Local Politics • By Michael Kanin • Sep 27, 2013
Citizens panel struggles to develop Council maps
Members of the commission charged with drawing new geographic districts for Austin City Council seats elected to continue work on a set of precinct maps published this weekend in the Austin American-Statesman. In so doing, they also voted against a…
Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Sep 26, 2013
City gets closer to streamlined process for special event permits
After years of discussion, the City of Austin appears to be getting closer to streamlining its process for issuing special events permits. It’s a move at least one local event planner says is necessary to address what can currently…
