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- For the first time in 20 years, more people are leaving Travis County than moving in
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- Travis County approves ambitious ‘Marshall Plan’ for northeast planning district
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- Council hears plan for another South Congress PUD
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Stories by Jessi Devenyns
Planning Commission recommends Taco PUD redesign
After a lengthy discussion surrounding the redesign of the South Lamar planned unit development – known as the Taco PUD for its location on the site of the former Taco Cabana at 211 South Lamar Blvd. – the Planning Commission…
Development • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 9, 2019
Environmental Commission discusses how to make the Heritage Tree Ordinance even more tree-centric
Austin values its trees. According to the city arborist’s office, trees are a $16 billion asset to the community. In 1982, in an effort to better protect its trees, Austin implemented its inaugural tree ordinance, which was unique both then…
Environment • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 6, 2019
Rainey Street bungalow bar seeks to expand, HLC expresses concerns
The popular watering hole Clive Bar inhabits a small Craftsman house at 609 Davis St., which is just on the corner of Rainey Street. The owners are looking to reconfigure the property to add a two-story structure with a mezzanine…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 5, 2019
Public Safety Commission questions path forward for EMS providers being assaulted
After reports from EMS personnel raised questions about the frequency of field officer assault by patients, Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services conducted an internal survey. The results showed that the majority of Austin EMS personnel say they’ve been assaulted on the…
EMS • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 4, 2019
Masonic lodge face-lift sent back to the drawing board, again
After the Historic Landmark Commission vetoed designs for a modern addition to the Royal Arch Masonic Lodge on the corner of Seventh and Lavaca for being a “desecration” of a landmark, a new design came before them at their Aug.…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 3, 2019
Despite reduction in size, subdivision still troubles neighbors and ZAP
After failing to get his 82-lot subdivision at 9406 Morninghill Drive approved last fall, David Knapp refiled a subdivision application for his 51-acre ranch late last year. But this time he requested the approval of a plan that would include…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 3, 2019
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Youth outreach program is cut after city doubled funding
When the city funds grants, should it do so based on achievable objectives or program intent? That question was at the crux of a debate at the July 24 meeting of the Environmental Commission’s Urban Forestry Committee. Last budget cycle,…
City Hall • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 30, 2019
Board of Adjustment seeks more information, postpones adaptive reuse project
In an effort to create market-rate affordable housing in North Austin, a developer is attempting to reuse the existing 281 units of the Austin Suites Motel at 8300 N. Interstate 35. In order to accomplish this goal, the developer came…
Land Development Code • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 27, 2019
Planning Commission debates transportation corridors and density
Does an extra 0.05 miles from a transportation corridor make a difference when it comes to deciding the appropriate level of density for a property? The Planning Commission found itself pondering this question at its Aug. 13 meeting while deliberating…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 26, 2019
Toxic algae blooms expected to recur
Algae in Austin’s waterways is nothing new. In the summertime when the water warms up and flows slowly, it’s common to see tendrils of blue-green algae floating in the current. “It’s a very seasonal pattern. A very regular pattern,” Brent…
Environment • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 23, 2019
North Lamar Mobile Home Park residents protest landlord negligence
The city of Austin has been working to tackle gentrification head-on through stabilizing mobile home parks throughout the city. This is one avenue to ensure that residents are able to stay, but there are other ways besides incongruent zonings and…
Housing • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 21, 2019
Zoning and Platting Commission weighs in on proposed fire code
As Austin weathers the dog days of summer, wildfire risk is once again a hot topic in the city. A new report this week by the Office of the City Auditor said that the city could be doing a better…