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Spelman withdraws item to allow lobbyists on code panel

At Thursday’s City Council meeting, Council Member Bill Spelman withdrew a controversial item that would have allowed lobbyists to serve on the city’s Land Development Code Rewrite Committee. But not before he delivered a measured and pointed set of remarks…

Landmark Commission backs historic zoning for East Austin church

Last week, the Historic Landmark Commission unanimously backed historic zoning in a move even its harshest critics would have trouble criticizing.   Members of the St. Paul Primitive Baptist Church, at 2209 East 14th Street, came to the city looking…

Debate over lobbyists on city panel heats up

Pressure continued to mount Wednesday against a proposal to include lobbyists in a pool of would-be candidates for the city’s Land Development Code Rewrite Committee. At a City Hall news conference, a wide range of advocates from nearly every walk…

Battle continues over city participation in Facilities Commission study

The squabble over the City of Austin’s participation in a Texas Facilities Commission study returns to Council chambers this morning. There, Council Members Mike Martinez and Laura Morrison will look to defund an agreement between the agency and the city…

Commissioners put Civil and Family Court back on front burner

The Travis County Commissioners Court brought plans for a proposed Civil and Family Courthouse back into focus yesterday. After several months of Commissioners Court silence, the potentially costly, and much discussed project is back on the agenda.   The proposed…

City’s projected budget surplus grows to more than $12 million

A City of Austin budget surplus projected at $8.6 million last week turned out to be more than $12 million by the time of the Council budget work session Tuesday afternoon.   Council members met in a special called meeting…

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Fight brewing over putting lobbyists on Land Development panel

Three Council members expressed concerns at Tuesday’s Council work session about their colleagues’ proposal to allow paid lobbyists to serve on the Land Development Code Rewrite Committee.   The issues raised by Council Members Laura Morrison, Mike Martinez, and Kathie…

Planning Commission opposes making dental office into a restaurant

The Planning Commission offered little support last week to a property owner trying to change a dental office into a restaurant at the intersection of East Oltorf Street and Rebel Road.   The property at 518 East Oltorf St. has…

EUC votes to oppose multifamily weatherization rent freeze

Members of the City of Austin’s Electric Utility Commission expressed concern over a Council-fueled effort that could implement a rent cap for landlords who take advantage of Austin’s weatherization reimbursement program. Their action came in the form of a resolution…

Council seeks hard numbers on economic impact of Formula 1 race

Council members will look to detailed reports about last November’s inaugural Formula 1 race in order to determine its true economic impact. They asked for the details at last week’s meeting of the Council’s Audit and Finance Committee.   “The…

Planning Commission studies possible requirements for amphitheaters

Sparked by plans at the Promiseland West Church, the Planning Commission moved forward with recommendations for new amphitheater requirements last week. Last year, the lack of public process in approving the church’s amphitheater provoked anger – and a lawsuit –  …

Levy continues to allege mismanagement at EMS agency

City of Austin and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Service officials find themselves on the defensive as Public Safety Commission Vice Chair Mike Levy continues to level allegations about operational mismanagement at the service.   On Wednesday, Levy said that there…