Survey: Dependable water and access to food top of mind in Travis County
A record high number of respondents answered the 2022 Travis County community issues survey, according to a county public information officer. Just under 2,500 people responded to the survey, ranking their preferences on a wide range of important issues in…
Travis County • By Seth Smalley • Jun 14, 2022
Council approves new mixed-use development rules and launches separate corridor proposal
In response to Austin’s housing crisis, City Council passed two policies Thursday to allow more housing along major streets. “I think it’s more critical now than it has ever been to increase density and housing on these corridors,” Mayor Steve…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Jun 13, 2022
Historic trestle bridge on Third Street could get a new life
Hidden among the glimmering towers in Austin’s downtown district is a quaint trestle bridge that serves as a window into a bygone era. The bridge, located on Third Street, rests 35 feet above Shoal Creek and was constructed nearly a…
Transportation • By Samuel Stark • Jun 13, 2022
The dog-killing algae in Lady Bird Lake is back
Toxic blue-green algae has once again been detected in Lady Bird Lake. The city says it’s working to stifle the blooms that killed a handful of dogs in 2019. Next week, staff will treat the water at Red Bud Isle…
Environment • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jun 13, 2022
Council approves permanent supportive housing in Hancock
City Council Thursday unanimously approved a rezoning for Cady Lofts, a project that will bring 100 homes for people experiencing homelessness to 1004-1008 E. 39th St. in the Hancock neighborhood. The project includes studio units in a 3- and 4-story…
Housing • By Jonathan Lee • Jun 10, 2022
West Austin neighborhood bands together to save lakefront estate
An application to demolish an idiosyncratic estate at 2002 Scenic Drive has been put on hold, as the Historic Landmark Commission elected to initiate historic zoning last Wednesday. The residence first appeared on the commission’s agenda last month, inspiring an…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Jun 10, 2022
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Neighbors argue over East 11th and 12th street plan
After months of delay, City Council took the second of three steps needed to update the Urban Renewal Plan for the East 11th and 12th Street Neighborhood Conservation Combining District. The vote Thursday was unanimous, but Council members Kathie Tovo…
Planning • By Jo Clifton • Jun 10, 2022
Hotel industry rebound pinches city's acquisition strategy to solve homelessness
The city may have to shift away from its strategy of converting hotels and motels into temporary and permanent supportive housing sites for the homeless, due to a rebound in the lodging market that has raised prices and cut down…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 9, 2022
Car blocking a bike lane? You might be able to report it and make some money soon.
In an effort to help city employees cite vehicles for illegally blocking bike lanes, the Urban Transportation Commission unanimously approved a “bike lane bounty” program at its meeting Tuesday night. The program, inspired by one in New York City, would…
Bicycles • By Samuel Stark • Jun 9, 2022
Fate of the Crestview Gate could be decided today
A decadelong debate over a notorious gate in the Crestview neighborhood is likely to reach its conclusion today, with City Council set to vote on a zoning change that would get rid of the gate at Easy Wind Drive and…
Transportation • By Jonathan Lee • Jun 9, 2022
How tall should buildings be when they're near single-family homes?
There’s a building on South Lamar that looks like a stepladder. Well, maybe a stepladder if you laid it on the ground. Or, maybe just a set of stairs – for a giant. “As you move across Lamar, you’re literally…
Land Development Code • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Jun 9, 2022
TipSheet: Austin City Council, 6.9.22
Today is City Council’s penultimate meeting before a summer break, which means the meeting is jam-packed with odds and ends that need to get in order before then. This TipSheet is an educated guess as to what might be important…
