Stories by Jack Craver
What will Trump mean for Austin?
In addition to bracing for a flurry of laws proposed at the state legislature aimed at constraining the power of local governments, City Council is looking ahead at the first year in a decade in which its majority is at…
Austin • By Jack Craver • Feb 8, 2017
Council approves solar-ready resolution
In spite of objections from the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin, City Council approved a resolution Thursday aimed at making all future buildings in the city “solar-ready.” The resolution, which passed 10-1, with only Council Member Ellen Troxclair in…
Development • By Jack Craver • Feb 3, 2017
Council gets its first look at CodeNEXT
It’s finally here. At least the first draft. For the first time, City Council members got a presentation on CodeNEXT, the long-awaited rewrite of the city’s Land Development Code. The report detailed ways in which city staff, in collaboration with…
Land Development Code • By Jack Craver • Feb 1, 2017
Austin Energy makes good on energy efficiency goals
Austin Energy officials say the city-owned utility is making good on a lot of the ambitious energy efficiency goals set out for it in the Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan approved by City Council in December 2014. Thirty-one percent…
Energy • By Jack Craver • Jan 31, 2017
Council approves extended hours for five Red River music venues
Over the objections of a number of neighbors and nearby hotels, City Council approved a six-month pilot program Thursday that will allow a handful of bars on Red River Street to play outdoor live music one hour later into the…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Jan 27, 2017
How do demolitions affect Austin's affordable housing stock?
As Austin grapples with its affordability crisis, much of the focus has been on how city leaders can incentivize developers to build new housing that includes units reserved for residents at certain income levels. Some city leaders, however, suggest that…
Housing • By Jack Craver • Jan 25, 2017
Subscribe to our newsletter
What will the Lege do to Austin this year?
The debate over local control that will likely play out in the coming months at the Texas Capitol was on display at a panel Tuesday morning hosted by Leadership Austin. In a discussion that often veered into debate, three experts…
Texas State Legislature • By Jack Craver • Jan 25, 2017
Arguments continue over neighborhood plan contact teams
What’s the difference between a neighborhood association and a neighborhood plan contact team? According to the city of Austin, there’s a big difference. Neighborhood associations, which can be started by anyone, have no formal relationship with city government, whereas neighborhood…
Planning • By Jack Craver • Jan 23, 2017
Junior League contends with concerns over heritage trees
After a great deal of hand-wringing over the future of three heritage trees, the city’s Environmental Commission recommended that the Junior League of Austin be granted the several variances it needs to build a new facility in Northwest Austin at…
Environment • By Jack Craver • Jan 20, 2017
Candidates react to Dukes' indictment
Two weeks after reneging on her promise to resign from her seat, state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, who represents much of eastern Travis County, was indicted by a grand jury for 15 offenses related to her alleged misuse of public funds.…
Texas State Legislature • By Jack Craver • Jan 19, 2017
Council agrees on six 'outcomes' to work toward in 2017
City Council wants to make 2017 all about outcomes. During a two-day “retreat” led by a group of government management consultants at the AT&T Conference Center last week, Mayor Steve Adler and his 10 Council colleagues came up with six…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Jan 17, 2017
Council hopes to reform committees – again
City Council still does not know what to do about its committees. Despite reforms enacted last March aimed at making them operate more smoothly, Council members mostly agree that the four-member panels that they voted to put in place as…
