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Elizabeth Pagano is the editor of the Austin Monitor.
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Most Popular Stories
- Former Council Member and dedicated environmentalist Jackie Goodman has died
- Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
- A multi-family rezoning at the rugged edge of Northwest Austin
- 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
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Stories by Elizabeth Pagano
New ruling clears the way for public comment at City Council work sessions
Thursday morning, Mayor Kirk Watson kicked off a planned budget work session in an unusual way. “Late yesterday, we received a copy of a court order related to one of the lawsuits and, as a result of that, we are…
Courts • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 9, 2024
Planning Commission calls for reorganization at City Hall
Planning Commission members have unanimously approved a series of budget requests aimed at reforming and streamlining the way their commission is run. Most significantly, the recommendations would establish an Office of the Land Use Commissions that would work with the…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 8, 2024
Planning Commission OKs affordable Sunset Ridge site plan in District 8
A plan to build affordable housing on Southwest Parkway continues to move forward, despite continued opposition from surrounding neighborhoods and the Save Our Springs Alliance. “There’s always a reason to stop housing. There’s always an excuse to sue to stop…
Planning • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 7, 2024
After heated discussion, Planning Commission bylaws to stay unchanged
An attempt to codify when information is posted online for Planning Commission members and the public is not moving forward, but the discussion about the issue revealed strain on the dais at the commission’s last meeting. Commissioners Nadia Barrera-Ramirez and…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 2, 2024
Despite appeal, new home project to move forward in East Austin historic district
A last-ditch effort to stop construction of a new home in the Robertson/Stuart & Mair Historic District failed at the Planning Commission, despite mixed feelings about the structure from the chair of the Historic Landmark Commission. Neighbors Mark Rogers and…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 1, 2024
TipSheet: Austin City Council, 7.18.24
Though City Council members briefly reappeared to help unveil this year’s budget last week, they will have their first regular meeting this week after summer break. As one might expect, the agenda is somewhat overstuffed in an effort to make…
TipSheets • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 18, 2024
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For one city employee, Facebook posts lead to an impossible process
A city department head who disapproved of her employee’s social media posts about city management has filed a human resources complaint against him, an unusual move that gives her the power to validate her own complaint and field any appeal…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 10, 2024
Will Austin really be the next single-staircase city?
City staff is pushing back on a proposal to allow single stairways for multifamily buildings. City Council unanimously approved a resolution to amend the code and allow multifamily projects up to six stories to have a single staircase in May.…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 2, 2024
Planning Commission checks in on new density bonus program
At their most recent meeting, members of the Planning Commission took the temperature of the city’s newest density bonus program, which is designed to allow developers to build more in exchange for community benefits like affordable housing. The program, dubbed…
Zoning • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 28, 2024
City launches free swim pilot program, eliminating fees at Walnut Creek Pool this summer
Austin is moving forward with a pilot program aimed at reducing pool fees as a way of increasing access this summer. The city will eliminate fees entirely at Walnut Creek Pool in North Austin and offer two free days at…
Parks • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 20, 2024
St. Joseph Hall cleared for demolition on St. Ed's campus
Historic Landmark Commission members have given their unanimous blessing to the demolition of St. Edward’s University’s St. Joseph Hall, despite its architectural significance and historic association with the Brothers of the Holy Cross. The hall, which stands at 3001 S.…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 18, 2024
At massive Hill’s Cafe redevelopment, cottage demolition put on hold
Pieces continue to fall into place for a planned mixed-use development at the former site of Hill’s Cafe, though Historic Landmark Commission members put one of those pieces on hold at their most recent meeting in the hopes that a…
