Stories by Elizabeth Pagano
Last-minute info can't save West Austin home
Plans to demolish a house in West Austin divided neighbors at the most recent Historic Landmark Commission meeting, but it did not split the commission, which voted unanimously to approve the demolition. The new owners of the house at 4604…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 11, 2014
Council approves new water rates, for now
A last-ditch proposal to change the structure of Austin Water Utility rates didn’t gain enough traction to pass at City Council’s budget session Tuesday. But the proposal may have an impact soon. Council members voted 6-1 to approve what they…
Resources • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 10, 2014
South Austin development threatens Heritage Trees
Though still in the early stages, a proposed South Austin development continues to draw fire from the city’s various boards and commissions. Last week, concerned citizens asked the city to take a closer look at its compliance with the Heritage…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 9, 2014
South Lamar development problems get closer look
Development in the city’s South Lamar neighborhood may be approaching a tipping point. A recent report could have the city scrambling to make sure it doesn’t capsize. “Are we just going to give up on this neighborhood, or are we…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 8, 2014
Panel rejects tram, but hopes for creative solutions
The Environmental Board continued to take a hard line against allowing Lake Austin homeowners more than one path of access to the lake from their ridgetop homes last week. This time, William and Kathryn Darling were requesting a variance for…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 8, 2014
South Austin park is nameless no more
Though discussion remained contentious up until the bitter end, the third time proved the charm last week for a once-nameless park in South Austin. City Council christened the park at 3000 Del Curto Road “The Tom Lasseter South Lamar Neighborhood…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 5, 2014
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Commission nixes neon for P. Terry's sign
(Natalie Krebs participated in the preparation of this story.) The new downtown P. Terry’s struck out for a second time at the Historic Landmark Commission on Monday night, where it became abundantly clear that the local burger stand will not…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 5, 2014
AE low-income program comes at a high cost
Though there is a push to increase some parts of Austin Energy’s low-income weatherization program, there is at least one part of that program that no one was clamoring to save at Wednesday’s budget session. Activist Paul Robbins started the…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 4, 2014
City budget talks turn to city schools
Though it was the last budget work session for City Council, there was plenty left to talk about on Wednesday. After the public hearing had been closed, Deputy Chief Financial Officer Ed Van Eenoo presented Council with the most recent…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 4, 2014
Candidates battle at United Way mayor forum
Five of the eight candidates vying for Austin mayor met at the South Alamo Drafthouse for the United Way of Greater Austin Mayoral Forum on Wednesday, where they took time to talk affordability, child care, education and, despite the tone…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 4, 2014
Crestview rallies against office building
Crestview residents turned out in force at last week’s Planning Commission meeting to protest a proposed office building in their neighborhood. Though developer David Kahn argued that the office project was an appropriate buffer between residential and commercial uses, neighbors…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 3, 2014
Council gets first crack at South Austin Plan
Despite an unexpected rescheduling of the public hearing, neighbors concerned about the South Austin Combined Neighborhood Plan showed up in force Friday afternoon. City Council members took up the plan Friday, after making the unorthodox decision late Thursday evening to…
