Stories by Elizabeth Pagano
Former commissioner seeks to change city policies in ethics cases
Former Zero Waste Advisory Commissioner Daniela Ochoa Gonzalez, who resigned after accusations of conflict-of-interest violations, is asking the city to reconsider how it does business. Her situation could change how the city deals with ethics complaints against people who serve…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 31, 2014
Landmark Commission initiates Red River house over owner's objection
Against the wishes of the homeowner, plans to designate a familiar Red River Street house a historic landmark are moving forward. However, the owner wants to demolish the familiar red and white house at 3805 Red River Street, Historic Landmark…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 30, 2014
Planning Commission recommends small Montopolis condo complex
A proposal for a modest Montopolis condominium complex cleared the Planning Commission last week, despite concerns by a member of a local neighborhood association. Simon and Ronaldo Brown-Valdez are seeking a zoning change from SF-3 to SF-5 for their property…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 28, 2014
Neighborhood group considers opposition to city transportation bonds
Some members of the politically powerful Austin Neighborhoods Council are threatening to withhold support for Austin’s $1 billion Strategic Mobility Plan unless it is significantly changed. Those behind the plan want the U.S. Department of Transportation to freeze federal matching…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 28, 2014
Ingle accuses Land Development Code panel member of ethics violation
Neighborhood activist Mary Ingle heightened the controversy around the city’s Land Development Code rewrite process Thursday by alleging that a member of the committee working on the rewrite has violated city ethics rules. In a sworn complaint, Ingle alleges that…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 25, 2014
ZAP approves zoning change to allow proposed learning center
The Zoning and Platting Commission refused to let zoning stand in the way of education last week. Commissioners voted 5-0 to recommend a mix of Single Family and Neighborhood Commercial – Mixed Use (LR-MU) zoning at 2103 West Slaughter Lane.…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 25, 2014
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Commission fails to endorse South Austin plan
South Austin residents for and against a new neighborhood plan jammed Tuesday night’s Planning Commission meeting. After several hours of discussion, the South Austin Neighborhood Plan failed to win a recommendation from the commission, where deeper concerns about the current…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 24, 2014
ZAP OKs variance for gated-community in ETJ
By Elizabeth Pagano Members of the Zoning and Platting Commission railed against the traffic flow planned for a gated community in the city’s two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction, but finally approved the subdivision Tuesday night. Developers were asking for a variance in…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 21, 2014
Thomas, Dealey top fund raisers in District 10 race
While candidates in less moneyed districts have to work mightily to bring in funding for their campaigns, heavy hitters in the District 10 race are raising and loaning themselves considerable war chests. The district stretches from Tarrytown to US 183,…
Elections • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 21, 2014
Flannigan, Wiley top fundraisers in District 6
District 6 is the most north, west, and right-leaning district in the city, and includes portions of Williamson County, Avery Ranch and Robinson Ranch within its borders. At the close of the first financial reporting period, Jimmy Flannigan and Jay…
Elections • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 21, 2014
ZAP grudgingly OKs subdivision variance for gated community
Members of the Zoning and Platting Commission railed against the traffic flow planned for a gated community in the city’s two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction, but finally approved the subdivision Tuesday night. Developers were asking for a variance in order to make…
