Tag Archives: City of Austin Environmental Commission
Watershed strategic plan revisions on the way
The Environmental Commission heard the first of many presentations last Wednesday as the Watershed Protection Department begins its effort to comprehensively rewrite its strategic plan for the first time since 2001. The strategic plan update is a three-year outreach process that…
Environment • By Kali Bramble • Sep 20, 2021
Watershed Protection sets high bar for restoring Waller Creek
With the city and its public and private partners out to restore and enhance the Waller Creek delta that runs from Fourth Street to Lady Bird Lake, the southern stretch of Waterloo Greenway is due for more work. This section…
Environment • By Amy Smith • Sep 3, 2021
Environmental commissioners brush up on tree preservation 101
On Wednesday, the Environmental Commission revisited heritage tree ordinances, general preservation efforts going on around Austin and the rules for protecting and building around trees, with city arborist Naomi Rotramel and Community Tree Preservation Division Manager Keith Mars. Austin’s original…
Environment • By Seth Smalley • Aug 27, 2021
Proposed code amendments could be the path to more trails
Urban trails provide multiple benefits, but getting those trails built isn’t always a walk in the park. With so many residents relying on Austin’s network of trails for recreation and multi-use transportation, city officials are hoping to respond to the…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Aug 24, 2021
Northwest Austin cave prompts ZAP to postpone vote on apartment complex
With more questions than answers available to consider a proposed multifamily development at a Luby’s cafeteria in Northwest Austin, the Zoning and Platting Commission delayed a vote for two weeks on Aug. 3. The property is located on the southwest…
Zoning • By Amy Smith • Aug 9, 2021
Canyon rimrock complicates reconstruction of Lake Austin boat dock
On July 7, the Environmental Commission approved a variance request to deconstruct and rebuild the Norris boat dock located at 1874 Westlake Drive. Scott Hiers, program manager for the Watershed Protection Department, presented pertinent details to the commission, including site…
Planning • By Seth Smalley • Jul 19, 2021
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Watershed Protection makes departmental changes
In response to the retirements of key personnel, and to better respond to Austin’s growth while retaining the city’s environmental identity, the Watershed Protection Department has undergone a staff reorganization, Director Jorge Morales told the Environmental Commission at its Tuesday…
Environment • By Amy Smith • Jul 9, 2021
Watershed report shines a light on racism in tank farm history
If awards were given out for annual reports, the Austin Watershed Protection Department’s recently released 2020 “State of Our Environment” would be a strong contender for its in-house production of a video documenting the East Austin community’s successful battle against…
Environment • By Amy Smith • Jun 22, 2021
Palm planning process kicks off, with school preservation a key goal
After years of talk, a long-held dream of creating a district that celebrates the cultural history of a historically Hispanic neighborhood in the eastern segment of downtown Austin is finally ramping up with the Palm District Planning Initiative. The planning…
Planning • By Amy Smith • Jun 8, 2021
Mitigation pilot set to tackle harmful algae in Lady Bird Lake
Most pet owners in Austin recall the fateful summer of 2019, when a spate of dog deaths was traced back to contact with toxic algae in Lady Bird Lake. Since that time the blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, has been identified…
Environment • By Amy Smith • Jun 7, 2021
Environmental Commission hears plans for Austin CCC
The Environmental Commission convened May 19 to discuss a variety of topics, among them an overview of the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps program. The Civilian Conservation Corps – or Triple C – was created by a City Council resolution that…
Austin • By Seth Smalley • May 28, 2021
City devising permanent solution to erosion threat in Guerrero Park
Southeast Austin’s Roy G. Guerrero Park is home to a disc-golf course and baseball fields and is a popular destination for birding. But according to the city, a growing threat poses a risk to the popular park: erosion. The 360-acre park…
