Stories by Nina Hernandez
Cap Metro board approves agreement with ATP for reimbursement of McKalla Station capital costs
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors last week approved a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement with the Austin Transit Partnership for the reimbursement of capital costs for the McKalla Station MetroRail project. The board approved the resolution at…
Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 28, 2023
Langmore appointed to Austin Transit Partnership board of directors
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors last week voted to appoint John Langmore to serve as the community expert director of finance on the Austin Transit Partnership’s board of directors. The Austin Transit Partnership is the entity tasked…
Transportation • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 26, 2023
Austin launches education and outreach initiative targeting hate crimes
The city of Austin last week launched the We All Belong Anti-Hate Initiative, an education and outreach campaign intended as a response to a string of hate crime incidents reported across the city. A group of leaders from the city,…
Austin • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 25, 2023
Council orders overhaul of SMART housing program
City Council voted this week to proceed with an overhaul of the SMART housing program. The SMART (Safe, Mixed-Income, Accessible, Reasonably Priced, Transit-Oriented) housing program grants certain fee waivers to housing developments that agree to include affordable housing. The list…
Housing • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 21, 2023
Council considers code amendments to relax single-family zoning rules
City Council will consider an item at this week’s meeting that would begin the process of relaxing the city’s strict single-family zoning rules. Item 126, sponsored by Council Member Leslie Pool, directs the city manager to propose code amendments that…
Land Development Code • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 19, 2023
Staff releases expedited timeline for housing code amendments
An updated timeline for implementation of a bundle of city code amendments aimed at increasing housing supply is in the hands of City Council. In a memo dated July 13, Planning Department Director Lauren Middleton-Pratt revealed the updated Schedule of…
Land Development Code • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 18, 2023
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Commission convenes working group aimed at accelerating airport expansion
The Airport Advisory Commission has formed a working group to look into possible ways the city can support accelerating the expansion of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The commission at its July 12 meeting voted unanimously to form the working group.…
Transportation • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 14, 2023
Animal Advisory Commission wants limit on public contact with wild animals
The Animal Advisory Commission on Monday voted unanimously to approve a resolution recommending City Council limit public contact with wild animals at for-profit zoos and aquariums. The idea for the resolution came about at the commission’s February meeting, when members…
Public Safety • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 12, 2023
After years of staffing woes, Austin finally hires enough lifeguards by start of swim season
Austin finally has enough lifeguards. This week, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the hiring of more than 1,000 lifeguards this swim season. That allowed PARD to open all 32 operational pools in its expansive aquatics system and extend…
Parks • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 11, 2023
Environmental Commission recommends Save Our Springs Ordinance amendment
The city’s Environmental Commission voted on July 5 to recommend an amendment to the Save Our Springs Ordinance that will pave the way for the completion of the long-awaited Barton Springs Bathhouse rehabilitation. The motion passed 10-0, with Commissioner Peter…
Environment • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 10, 2023
Environmental Commission wants public engagement on airport development plan update
The Environmental Commission voted to recommend a proposed update to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Master Development Plan at its regular meeting July 5. The original master plan ordinance passed in 1994 was designed as a blueprint for redevelopment of the…
Environment • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 7, 2023
Ethics Review Commission OKs pandemic-era changes to lobbying ordinance
The Ethics Review Commission last week voted unanimously to recommend changes to the city’s lobbying rules. The rules ensure phone calls and video conferences are properly recorded as appearances before a city official. The changes to City Code Chapter 4-8…
