Board of Adjustment settles feud over three-inch strip of concrete

The Board of Adjustment conjured up some Solomon-like wisdom Monday night, trying to bring peace to feuding neighbors by splitting concrete.   Julie Lipton was seeking variances to maintain a deck and trellis at her 4416 Sinclair Avenue home. The…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 11, 2013

Workman bill would give landowners expanded legal rights

Rep. Paul Workman, R-Austin, is fronting a mounting frustration among southwest Austin landowners, many of whom have taken years to get their development projects off the ground, only to face opposition from a city that some consider to be cozy…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Apr 11, 2013

More changes for LCRA’s management structure

Officials with the Lower Colorado River Authority have once again rearranged the organization’s management structure. The new set-up comes with the departure of longtime executive Kyle Jensen.   Jensen retired from the organization earlier this month. When he left, Jensen…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 11, 2013

Board of Adjustment says no to exemption for illegal South Austin porch

The Board of Adjustment thwarted an attempt to hold on to a treasured South Austin porch Monday night, voting against a special exception that would allow the porch to remain at 2004 Goodrich Avenue.   The homeowner, Lindsay Lane, explained…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 10, 2013

Bill would allow East Austin land bank without Travis County participation

A bill from state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, would allow the long and hotly debated creation of a homestead preservation district in East Austin to move forward without funding participation from Travis County. If approved, the measure would circumvent –…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 10, 2013

Environmental Board supports development at former tank farm site

Development on a salvaged East Austin tank farm won unanimous support from the Environmental Board last week.   The board voted 4-0 to approve the environmental aspects of the Planned Unit Development. Chair Mary Gay Maxwell and Board Members Jennifer…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 9, 2013

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Council to study possible extension of time for demolition permits

An ordinance change brought forward by Council Member Chris Riley and Mayor Lee Leffingwell would extend the amount of time before a demolition permit expires from six months to two years in most cases. The change is set for a…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 9, 2013

Environmental Board fails to reach agreement on Steiner Ranch variance

Though Steiner Ranch is almost entirely developed, attempts to build out the remainder of the area continue to raise hackles at the Environmental Board Wednesday night.   The board heard a variance request from a representative of Taylor Morrison Homes,…

Uncategorized • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 8, 2013

New utility ordinance leaves hiring of Austin Energy chief with city manager

An ordinance prepared by City of Austin legal staff to be the starting point for a change in governance for Austin Energy leaves the authority to hire and fire the utility General Manager in the hands of City Manager Marc…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 8, 2013

PARD seeks to restructure fees to recover more program costs

Fees for youth programs run by the Parks and Recreation Department continue to come in at a rate far below program costs. This news comes despite comprehensive efforts by PARD staff to analyze and reconfigure fee structures.   “Right now,…

Uncategorized • By Michael Kanin • Apr 5, 2013

Senate passes bills limiting public-private development of state land

The Texas Senate, on a day when the House was embroiled in budget talk, passed two bills that could have a significant impact on Austin.   The duo of bills, Senate Bill 894 and Senate Bill 507, are the top…

Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Apr 5, 2013

Council members grant short-term cemetery services contract

A skeptical Council Member Kathie Tovo peppered Parks and Recreation Department staff with questions last week, prior to Council’s authorizing an emergency, 120-day, $250,000 contract with Interment Services, Inc. to manage Austin’s five city cemeteries.   At the heart of…

Uncategorized • By Ramon Ramirez • Apr 4, 2013

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