Airport pet motels gain approval

City Council approved the development of two pet motels near the Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, one private and one public-private partnership. Council members approved the item 7-2, despite naysayers Ora Houston and Don Zimmerman. Houston expressed concern about the propriety of a city-approved pet motel on the airport parking space. Council Member Pio Renteria abstained and Mayor Steve Adler was off the dais. The public-private pet motel was part of a deal between Scott Airport Parking and the airport to build parking lots. Scott Airport Parking was required to build a business amenity along with the parking area, and it chose the pet motel. The kennel will hold about 150 animals. Airport pet motels have become popular around country, with kennels located in airports in Chicago, Atlanta and Minneapolis, among others.