East Austin townhomes move forward with relaxed compatibility
A plan to build townhomes in the Chestnut neighborhood is moving forward with the unanimous blessing of the Planning Commission, which granted permission to build closer to nearby homes than would normally be allowed. Developers of the project at 1400…
Land Development Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 23, 2022
Incoming code amendments will set higher bar for watershed protections
Following a direction passed by City Council earlier this month, the Watershed Protection Department has kept busy refining a number of Land Development Code amendments to further the city’s environmental goals. Deputy Environmental Officer Liz Johnston stopped by the Environmental…
Environment • By Kali Bramble • Jun 22, 2022
STI testing unit to get location in downtown Austin
City Council members approved a resolution Thursday designating a parking spot for mobile STI testing and other sexual health care services, to be located in downtown Austin to make the testing easily accessible to city residents. The resolution comes shortly…
Public Health • By Veronica Apodaca • Jun 22, 2022
City to study Fleet Services site for housing
In the continuing effort to find ways to create more affordable housing, City Council directed City Manager Spencer Cronk last week to assess the site that currently houses Fleet Mobility Services as a possible location for housing. The department at…
Planning • By Jo Clifton • Jun 22, 2022
Potential Austin ISD bond proposal could include funding to help teachers with housing
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees will decide later this summer whether to include a bond package on the ballot in November. A bond allows the school district to borrow money to cover the cost of capital expenditures, such as…
Bonds & Propositions • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jun 21, 2022
City continues battle against toxic algae, zebra mussels
Despite record high temperatures, crowds are carrying on with Austin summertime traditions, flocking to cool off by Barton Creek and the Colorado River. Brent Bellinger, a reservoir ecologist for the city, stopped by Wednesday’s Environmental Commission meeting to share a…
Environment • By Kali Bramble • Jun 21, 2022
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Study points to transportation, education needs for disabled community
Preliminary findings from a quality-of-life study for Austin residents with disabilities suggest the city needs to improve transportation options, expand educational opportunities and improve communications with the larger disabled community. Last week, at a combined meeting of the Mayor’s Committee…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 21, 2022
Council OKs first use of Project Connect money for housing
With little fanfare Thursday, City Council, acting as the board of the Austin Housing Finance Corporation, approved using Project Connect anti-displacement dollars for the first time to purchase apartment complexes for low-income residents. The two complexes AHFC will acquire are…
Housing • By Jo Clifton • Jun 21, 2022
Amid affordability crisis, Austin could hike hourly minimum wage for city employees to $22
Low-wage city employees could see their pay go up to $22 an hour in October. City Council on Thursday unanimously approved raising the minimum wage for city workers as Austin’s affordability crisis worsens. “$22 is not a lot,” Council Member Vanessa…
City Council • By Skye Seipp, KUT • Jun 17, 2022
Police union proposes pay raises of up to 20% as part of contract negotiation
The Austin Police Association has proposed raises of up to 20 percent over four years as part of its ongoing labor contract negotiation with the city, citing the police department’s long-standing staffing shortages as well as rising housing costs and…
Police • By Emma Freer • Jun 17, 2022
Council approves legal action to close South Terminal
City Council on Thursday authorized city’s legal staff to move forward with eminent domain proceedings against the owner of the South Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. No Council member commented on the item, but the vote was unanimous. Before the…
Transportation • By Jo Clifton • Jun 17, 2022
Cap Metro courtesy-stop pilot program likely to be codified
After a successful trial run, Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority hopes to extend the expanded version of its courtesy stop pilot program, which was started earlier this year. Capital Metro first implemented the initiative to help riders with mobility impairments deboard…
