Stories by Austin Monitor
Monday, November 18, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Easy as L, D, C
Diversify the LDC… At Saturday’s joint meeting of the arts and music commissions, the two groups each approved a request that the Planning Commission adjust the language in a recent addition to the draft Land Development Code that is being…
Monday, November 4, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Humans of Austin
Get by with a little help from your friends, and supporters… With city of Austin special elections taking place Nov. 5, the cycle is almost over – except for candidates who are gearing up for a round of elections in…
Monday, October 28, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: ‘Not like this city does’
One step over the line… The Planning Commission held a rare weekend hearing Saturday to listen to public input on the latest iteration of the Land Development Code. While the expected clashes took place during the hearing, for which more…
Wednesday, October 23, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: ANC on LDC
This week, we check in with the Austin Neighborhoods Council for its take on the recently released draft of the new Land Development Code. ANC Vice President Justin Irving sits down with Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns and editor Elizabeth…
Monday, October 21, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Wide awake at the wheel
Letting go of control… Ford Motor Company has announced plans to carry people and goods around Austin in self-driving cars as early as 2021, but most people in the general public say they wouldn’t feel comfortable taking their eyes off…
Tuesday, October 15, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: AURA on LDC
This week we talk to Kevin McLaughlin, the Land Use Committee chair of AURA, a local urbanist group focused on land use and transportation policy. McLaughlin sits down with Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns and editor Elizabeth Pagano to discuss…
Monday, October 14, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Think of the children
Cub Scouts bring improvement initiatives to the Planning Commission… Webelos Scout Pack 81 Den 4 arrived at the Oct. 8 convocation of the Planning Commission to speak solemnly to the commissioners about their concerns for the city and what they…
Monday, October 7, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Read all about it
Planting the seeds… Just because water is crystal clear doesn’t mean it is clean. Craig Nazor, a citizen who sits on the Animal Advisory Commission, alerted the Environmental Commission on Oct. 2 that the discharge from the Walnut Creek Water…
Monday, October 7, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Hill Country Conservancy
In this week’s edition of Austin Monitor Radio, Frank Davis, chief conservation officer of the Hill Country Conservancy, chats with Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns. Interested in what the Hill Country Conservancy does? Curious about conservation easements? Want to get…
Monday, September 30, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Questions and apologies
Barrientos raises questions… Former Texas state Senator Gonzalo Barrientos has raised questions about the convention center expansion, Hotel Occupancy Taxes and Proposition B in a letter sent to Austin City Attorney Anne Morgan. Specifically, Barrientos questions the community benefit associated…
Monday, September 30, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: The TREAD Coalition and the Kinder Morgan Pipeline
This week, David Smith, an attorney who is representing the Texas Real Estate Advocacy and Defense (or TREAD) Coalition, sits down to discuss ongoing legal action against a planned natural gas pipeline through the Hill Country. Smith describes where things…
Monday, September 23, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Austin’s bicycle network
On this edition of Austin Monitor Radio, street designer and network planner Nathan Wilkes of the Austin Transportation Department sits down with Monitor editor Elizabeth Pagano to talk about the city’s new, interactive All Ages and Abilities Bicycle Network tool,…
Monday, September 16, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: The end of Austin?
And another thing… In arguing against the proposed expansion of the Austin Convention Center at last week’s Music Commission meeting, local developer Brian Rodgers drew some confused and sideways glances from commission members. Rodgers, a Tourism Commission member who helped…
Monday, September 9, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: (Cont’d)
If forums were homes… South Austin residents concerned about the city’s policies regarding homelessness and plans for opening a housing center in the area are pushing for candid questions and answers at a community meeting scheduled for Tuesday night. The…
Monday, September 9, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Water Forward
In this edition of Austin Monitor Radio, Austin Water Forward program manager Marisa Flores Gonzalez sits down with Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns to talk water conservation. Specifically, the pair dive into the city’s plan to ensure access to safe drinking…
Monday, August 26, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Uncategorized
Reporter’s Notebook: Taking to task
Council calls out enemies among us… Council had no qualms Thursday shaming the Texas Legislature for its arrogance in passing the “shot clock” bill, House Bill 3167. In the words of Council Member Leslie Pool, the bill demonstrates that the…
Monday, August 26, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: Wildfires with Justice Jones
This week, Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns sits down with Austin Fire Department Wildfire Division Manager Justice Jones. Listen in below for a comprehensive discussion about Austin’s wildfire risks, how the city is managing those risks and what still needs…
Monday, August 19, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: At what cost
Where’d you go, Harper-Madison?… After District 1 Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison filed her mid-year campaign finance report in July, it turned out that she raised $3,695 in campaign funds in January, February and March and spent $3,589. As Council members…
Monday, August 19, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: ECHO’s Matthew Mollica
Earlier this month, Matthew Mollica stepped into his new post as executive director for the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition. On this edition of Austin Monitor Radio, he talks to Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns about the timing of that move, how Austin…
Monday, August 19, 2019 by Austin Monitor
Radio
Austin Monitor Radio: SAFE Alliance
This week, Juliana Gonzales, the senior director of sexual assault services at the SAFE Alliance, sits down to talk with Austin Monitor reporter Jessi Devenyns about her work at SAFE, which is a merger between SafePlace and Austin Children’s Shelter.…
