Stories by Elizabeth Pagano
Commission changes position, endorses bike plan
A second visit to the Planning Commission proved much more successful for the Bicycle Master Plan, which will now move on to City Council with a full slate of commission recommendations. The last time Planning Commissioners considered the plan, they…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 27, 2014
Congress hotel closer to Council approval
It has been a long, slow road, but a proposed Congress Avenue hotel passed its first official City Council hurdle in October. Council members unanimously approved a rezoning that will allow for a change to the building’s street setback on…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 27, 2014
Industrial lofts win first victory at Council
Upending traditional NIMBY roles, a proposed loft project in South Austin pitted heavy industries against a residential project, and presented an interesting conundrum for City Council members. In the end, Council voted to approve the zoning change on first reading…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 24, 2014
Council continues to deliberate quarry sale
The proposed sale of a northwest quarry continues to inspire debate among City Council members. At Tuesday’s work session, the revelation that proceeds from the sale would go to a struggling water utility complicated an already-nuanced discussion about the relative…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 23, 2014
City works to challenge commercial property values
City Council continues to move forward with a potential challenge to commercial property values in the city, but there are still some details to be worked out. The push to challenge commercial property appraisals comes at a time when Austinites…
Local Government • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 23, 2014
Council switch complicates City Auditor search
In addition to all the other changes that will soon take place at City Hall, Austin needs a new City Auditor to replace Ken Mory, who is stepping down in December. And, like everything else these days, the process of…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 22, 2014
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Austin Tea Party 'endorsement' raises questions
Though early voting started on Monday, the race to City Council hasn’t come to a halt. Over the weekend, an endorsement from the Austin Tea Party had District 4 candidate Greg Casar crying foul and issuing allegations that the whole…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 21, 2014
Council takes small step toward approving micro units
Despite lingering concerns, City Council members moved tentatively forward with a micro unit ordinance at their last meeting, voting to approve the new regulations on first reading only. City Council voted 4-2 to approve the ordinance, but it was clear…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 21, 2014
Crestview office project gets initial approval
Changes to a proposed Crestview office project were enough to keep it alive at City Council last week. Currently, the 2.275 acres at Justin Lane and Cullen Avenue are home to a Korean Presbyterian Church. Developer David Kahn is proposing…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 21, 2014
Council debates Red River House designation
Last week, City Council took the first step toward designating a familiar Red River Street house as a historic landmark, despite the owner’s objections. “I dare say that anybody who has ever made a trip around the University of Texas…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 20, 2014
Environmental Board hears Lightsey 2 project
Though it is still in the early stages, South Austin’s Lightsey 2 project made a detour to the Environmental Board last week, where developers were advised to be more creative with their plans. Citing “ongoing concerns” with drainage, off-site flooding,…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Oct 20, 2014
City purchase of Bull Creek property a no-go
After getting word that a last-ditch effort to purchase the property was not going to work, and without the funds to purchase the land outright, City Council abandoned plans Thursday to purchase 75 acres at Bull Creek and 45th Street.…
