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Stories by Laurel Chesky

Lakeside residents make waves as board backs bulkhead ordinance

To the dismay of some Lake Austin residents, new regulations for building bulkheads on the shoreline sailed through the Austin Parks and Recreation Board last week. The board voted 6-0 to recommend approval of a proposed ordinance that changes the…

North Austin Community Recreation Center moves forward

A long-awaited recreation center planned for north Austin moved one step closer to reality last week. On Thursday, City Council voted unanimously to approve a plan for the North Austin Community Recreation Center, at 1000 West Rundberg Lane. In addition…

Trail completion plan moves forward despite uncertain funding

With no guarantees that voters will pay for it, the City of Austin nevertheless indicated it was moving forward Tuesday with plans for a hike-and-bike trail looping Lady Bird Lake. A proposed boardwalk built over the water would complete the…

Labor intensive fountain-turned-splash pad to reopen June 15

If all goes well, the popular Liz Carpenter Fountain will reopen in three weeks. But it will be closed two days per week and may need 40 to 50 labor hours per week in maintenance.   “We plan to reopen…

Off-leash policy moves forward, paving way for new dog parks

A draft policy to guide the establishment and use of off-leash dog areas in Austin could be ready by early next month. The proposed policy, being drafted by the city’s Off Leash Area Advisory Committee (OLAAC), will establish criteria for…

Bull Creek restoration sitting pretty while Turkey Creek project plays dead

The Bull Creek District Park restoration project will likely meet its April 2 deadline. Meanwhile, a plan to improve the Turkey Creek Trail in Emma Long Metropolitan Park has been temporarily shelved. Those messages were delivered Tuesday night to the…

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Mueller substation’s fate could be decided this month

Austin Energy’s 10-year journey to find a home for the Mueller Substation in East Austin may finally be approaching the 18th green. The utility company’s proposal to build the power substation on a city-owned golf course is scheduled for a…

Neighbors nix Ney landscaping plan

History, like art, often resides in the eye of the beholder. The question of whose idea of history should guide the restoration of a treasured Austin yard has fueled a growing controversy at the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD).…

City Council to vote on hotel project that split Planning Commission

On Thursday, the Austin City Council is scheduled to discuss the fate of a new hotel proposed for downtown. Unfortunately, council members will not have the benefit of a Planning Commission recommendation – but not for lack of trying on…

Off-leash pooch advocates collared during Bull Creek closing

While it’s closed for restoration, Bull Creek District Park will not be replaced with another temporary off-leash dog park in the area. That blow was dealt to off-leash dog park advocates at a community forum last week. The forum, held…

Quarries question aquifer district’s authority to prohibit water use

In September, the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation District passed a set of new regulations designed to protect the aquifer during times of drought. Those rules aren’t sitting well with at least one of the district’s constituents, who has indicated that…

City lease with nonprofit ARC of Capital Area is deemed illegal

When representatives of an Austin non-profit organization approached their landlord to renew their lease, they got a big shock. According to their landlord’s lawyers, the lease is illegal.   The ARC of the Capital Area, a nonprofit that provides services…

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