Stories by Elizabeth Pagano
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…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 18, 2014
Ora Houston leads money race in City Council District 1
Two candidates are pulling away from the pack in fundraising to represent Austin’s African-American opportunity district, District 1. Ora Houston has raised the most money so far, solidifying her status as the presumed frontrunner. Houston has raised $29,173 through June…
Elections • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 17, 2014
Residents say noise from CrossFit gyms disrupting neighborhoods
Brentwood residents whose lives are being disrupted by a new, noisy exercise trend are fed up, and they are looking to the city for help. Nikela Bryson addressed the City Council last month, explaining the problems created by two nearby…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 14, 2014
Planning Commission OKs zoning change for hotel at 619 Congress Avenue
Plans for yet another downtown hotel took a step forward at this week’s Planning Commission meeting. Conventus Corporation and Finley Company, represented by Armbrust and Brown, were seeking a change from Central Business District (CBD) to CBD-CURE (Central Urban Redevelopment…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 14, 2014
Austin Oaks PUD draws concerns from residents, Council members
Though still in its early stages, a new Planned Unit Development in northwest Austin is already furrowing brows. The Austin Oaks Planned Unit Development would be built on 31.37 acres at the southwest corner of Spicewood Springs Road and MoPac…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 11, 2014
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Study shows Austin housing market still growing at record levels
A housing study that the City of Austin is required to perform every five years is providing City Council members more confirmation that the city’s housing market is continuing to change at a breakneck pace. The five-year planning mandate is…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 10, 2014
Short-handed Planning Commission fails to endorse bicycle, trails plans
A depleted city Planning Commission was unable to approve either a new city Bicycle Master Plan or an Urban Trails Master Plan last month. Though a majority of commissioners present (four) voted to approve the Bicycle Master Plan, a no…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 7, 2014
City Finance Committee compares notes with CapMetro on rail costs
With an upcoming rail bond election almost certainly on the horizon, the city continues to take a closer look at what a new urban rail system might mean. A special called meeting gave the Austin City Council’s Audit and Finance…
Local Politics • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 2, 2014
ZAP postpones case for salvage business in hopes of a better plan
After nearly a decade worth of talks with the city about its fate, an environmentally complicated piece of Northwest Austin land had its turn at the Zoning and Platting Commission last month but came away with a postponement. The…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 1, 2014
Council bounces first project from developer under new ordinance
The city’s first, somewhat rushed test of its new Vested Rights Ordinance is complete and City Council has rejected a developer’s request for a Southwest Austin project. The test came at last week’s meeting, which did not end until after…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 30, 2014
Fight over park name means Council will have to vote once again
Despite hours of meetings and two visits to City Council, the park at 3000 Del Curto Road remains officially nameless because of a disagreement among those interested in the question. Three names were originally under consideration for the park:…
