Initiatives would help music venues, downtown residents better coexist

Two new sound initiatives will go to Council next week. The Austin Music Commission approved language Tuesday for the creation of a new program and ordinance – the Music Venue Assistance Micro Loan Program and the Good Neighbor Policy –…

Uncategorized • By Ramon Ramirez • May 17, 2013

Despite opposition, Board of Adjustment rules for ‘stealth dorm’ project

Despite a huge outpouring of opposition from the community, and a vocally supportive Board of Adjustment, plans for alleged “stealth dorms” on Harris Street are moving forward.   In an attempt to put a halt to the proposed duplexes at…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 16, 2013

AE report: Energy rebates do not lead to rent hikes

Members of the City Council are collecting data associated with an Austin Energy program that offers energy efficiency rebates to multi-family apartment owners in order to determine whether they should mandate a rent freeze as a condition of receiving those…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 16, 2013

Consultant starts process for planning Lady Bird Lake’s South Shore

Is Downtown Austin really the pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly, green space-treasuring, family-loving Mecca it claims to be? Perhaps some of it is. But, there is one stretch of area along Lady Bird Lake which, for all its potential of possessing these…

Uncategorized • By Charlotte Moore • May 15, 2013

Deed restrictions cut yet another case short at ZAP

The Zoning and Platting Commission ran into a familiar foe last week.   A homeowner hoping to re-subdivide his property in the Shoalmont Addition was informed the property had a private deed restriction that could make that difficult, much to…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 15, 2013

Future uncertain for Austin Energy panel

Legislative action that would clarify the Austin City Council’s authority to move Austin Energy out from under the control of the City Manager remained stalled in committee Tuesday. With the 2013 session of the Texas Legislature set to expire on…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 15, 2013

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Affordable housing supporters optimistic despite AISD bond results

Even with this weekend’s defeat of two of four propositions in a nearly $900 million Austin Independent School District bond package, supporters of a future City of Austin affordable housing bond election remain optimistic they can convince city voters to…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 14, 2013

City offices split over affordable housing calculations for South Lamar PUD

A strong disagreement over the calculation of affordability requirements among city staff has emerged, adding to the controversy over a proposed Planned Unit Development at 211 South Lamar.   At issue is the South Lamar PUD, which has drawn the…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 14, 2013

Council eliminates use of CURE zoning to gain development height, density

Though there was plenty of debate leading up to it, in the end City Council resoundingly approved a resolution that will make short work of Central Urban Redevelopment Combining District, or CURE, zoning.   In a vote of 6-1 last…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 13, 2013

Street performers ask Music Commission to help redesign busking laws

Austin street musicians are pushing back at the Live Music Capital of the World’s strict busking laws. A new report from the Austin Music Commission’s Musicians Working Group surveyed about 200 local musicians, and 75 percent of respondents expressed a…

Uncategorized • By Ramon Ramirez • May 13, 2013

Council denies petition for annexation by Hornsby Bend residents

High water bills, a dangerous road, and slow response to medical emergencies – that’s what some people who live in the Hornsby Bend area in Eastern Travis County say they deal with every day. It’s also why they’ve asked the…

Uncategorized • By Charlotte Moore • May 13, 2013

Council finally adopts East Riverside Corridor Regulating Plan

After months of debate, a few false starts, and much gnashing of teeth over the nearly 20 drive-though facilities scattered about the planning region, Austin City Council members finally moved to codify the East Riverside Corridor Regulating Plan Thursday. They…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • May 10, 2013

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