Austin is getting older, and its growing population of residents aged 65 and up is living proof. In fact, those between 65 and 74 represented the fastest-growing age group between 2010 and 2020, according to city reports. With that demographic shift in mind, City Council recently directed the city manager to take greater steps to […]
Austin City Council
The Austin City Council is the body with legislative purview over the City of Austin. It offers policy direction, while the office of the City Manager implements administrative actions based on those policies. Until 2015, the body contained seven members, including the city’s Mayor, all elected at-large. In 2012, City of Austin residents voted to change that system and as of 2015, 10 members of the Council are elected based on geographic districts. The Mayor continues to be elected at-large.
Posted inHousing
City eyes fund to preserve affordable housing, capitalize on overbuilt apartment market
In talking about the possibility of establishing a city fund specifically for preserving existing affordable housing stock, Council Member Marc Duchen said part of the motivation is to give the city more tools to step in before property owners decide to rebuild aging multifamily properties at higher price points. Using the recent, controversial redevelopment of […]
Posted inCourts
Judge upholds Austin vote on plan to redevelop old Statesman site
A judge has ruled against an environmental group that sued the city of Austin, alleging elected officials violated state law with their vote allowing redevelopment along the shores of Lady Bird Lake. Travis County judge Jan Soifer did not include a reason for her ruling. Save Our Springs Alliance had argued that, by not adequately advertising the scope of […]
Posted inZoning
Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
Austin City Council last week approved adding the Vertical Mixed Use “V” to the property located from 1501 to 1603 Shoal Creek Boulevard, after a hearing that featured considerable discussion about the geologically sensitive area. Council Member Paige Ellis abstained, citing the fact that the area had already suffered from collapses in the past. The […]
Posted inHousing
As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
The zoning reforms that have come to define our City Council are having a moment in the spotlight, earning shout outs from Vice President J.D. Vance and New York Times bestseller Ezra Klein, whose recent book Abundance presents an approach that will be familiar to most Austinites–tweaking land use code alongside market-based incentives as a […]
Posted inWater
Council OKs water, wastewater extension to environmentally sensitive property
In a vote of 7-4, City Council on Thursday approved granting water and wastewater service for a proposed multi-family project outside the city limits and within the Drinking Water Protection Zone. The property at 10656 North FM 620 is in the North Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, upstream from habitat for the Jollyville Plateau salamander, which […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Focused on real affordability, City Council moves to improve density bonus programs
City Council voted Thursday to initiate a review and potential overhaul of the city’s density bonus programs, signaling a shift toward more flexible and customized incentives to promote affordable housing and community benefits across different parts of the city. The resolution was supported by all of City Council but Council Member Krista Laine, who abstained. […]
Posted inAustin
Austin food trucks no longer have to move trailers for health and safety inspections
Desnudo Coffee’s East Austin location serves hundreds of cups of coffee each day. But once a year the truck has to shut down for its annual health safety inspection. Closing for even a day can cost the business thousands of dollars as it has to prepare and move the trailer, and that’s doesn’t include how […]
Posted inAustin
Former Council Member and dedicated environmentalist Jackie Goodman has died
Jackie Goodman, 79, who served on the Austin City Council for 12 years starting in 1993, passed away on Tuesday. She had been hospitalized but had come home before her death. She served as Mayor Pro Tem for several years starting in 1998. She is survived by her sisters, Janis Morgan of Austin and Joann […]
Posted inPolice
City delays decision on license plate reader program
After a prolonged discussion during Tuesday’s City Council work session, a proposed extension of the city’s Automated License Plate Reader program is no longer under consideration. “Given concerns expressed today, I have decided to withdraw this item from the agenda at this time to provide more opportunities to address council members’ questions and do our […]
Posted inPlanning
City to postpone UNO vote to consult with UT
A vote on a long-debated plan to allow taller buildings and expanded development in the University Neighborhood Overlay district has been postponed until the fall, pushing back the move to add student housing capacity near the University of Texas. The postponement request was outlined in a pair of May 30 memos from Planning Director Lauren […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin could soon see more rooftop solar power systems on public buildings
If you thought the city of Austin already had a program to install rooftop solar systems on its municipal buildings, you weren’t alone. Many others believed the same, according to Kaiba White of Public Citizen’s Texas office. ‘I don’t know anybody who thinks it’s a bad idea,’ she added, summing up the results of solar […]