Council lays out compromise for more density along major streets
As Austin’s housing crisis deepens, City Council is pushing to relax two major constraints on development – compatibility and parking requirements – for properties along busy streets, in hopes of increasing the supply of housing. “We believe there is consensus…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • May 18, 2022
Judge rejects voting rights suit against city
In a brief letter Tuesday, Travis County District Court Judge Lora Livingston ruled in favor of the city of Austin and against plaintiffs who argued they were being denied their right to vote as a result of redistricting. The plaintiffs…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • May 18, 2022
City, music groups seek partners for update of 2015 creative ecosystem census
The 2015 census that showed the Austin music and creative community was becoming economically marginalized will be updated this summer, with organizers hoping to reach a larger and more diverse pool of respondents from the Austin area and beyond. More…
Austin • By Chad Swiatecki • May 18, 2022
Environmental regulations finally set to move forward
City Council is considering directing city staff to revise some of the city’s environmental regulations this week, with an eye to protecting the city from the growing threat of industrial discharges, flooding and the heat island effect so common in…
Environment • By Jo Clifton • May 18, 2022
TSA lines are out the door again at Austin's airport
The lines for security screenings spilled out of the Barbara Jordan Terminal and onto the sidewalk Saturday morning at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The wait was so long that some people who showed up well in advance missed their flights. “It…
Transportation • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • May 17, 2022
MetroBike program gears up for 10-year expansion project
Cyclists can expect to see expanded bike-share infrastructure roll out in the next few years, as the team behind the city’s MetroBike program prepares to bring an updated interlocal agreement to City Council this summer. Since 2013, MetroBike (formerly B-cycle)…
Bicycles • By Kali Bramble • May 17, 2022
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County, nonprofits prepare to administer supportive housing resolution
The Travis County Commissioners Court met for a work session Thursday to review the ongoing, federally funded affordable housing initiatives in the Austin area. Multiple nonprofits are preparing to build supportive housing in Travis County using federal American Rescue Plan…
Housing • By Seth Smalley • May 17, 2022
Former Capital Idea head running for ACC board
Three spots on the Austin Community College District Board of Trustees – places 4, 5 and 6 – will be up for election this November. Steve Jackobs, the founder and longtime executive director of Capital Idea, stepped down from the…
Elections • By Jo Clifton • May 17, 2022
More dominoes fall in Austin's disappearing warehouse district
As tensions erupted over plans to redevelop Fourth Street at the last meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission, the case of a brick warehouse on the corner of Sixth and Lavaca was caught in a three-way crossfire that flew more…
Development • By Kali Bramble • May 16, 2022
HAAM seeks $1M from city to provide health care for musicians
The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is seeking $1 million from the city to help maintain health care coverage for 3,000 local musicians and cover an additional 1,000 who qualify for assistance from the nonprofit. During a presentation at last…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • May 16, 2022
Neighborhood association attempts to put kibosh on housing for the homeless
Advocates and city officials often say affordable housing is the key to ending homelessness. But as a rezoning case heard Tuesday at the Planning Commission showed, this type of housing can be hard to build, due in part to neighborhood…
Housing • By Jonathan Lee • May 16, 2022
Judge hears arguments on Council election lawsuit
After a hearing Thursday, Travis County District Judge Lora Livingston told attorneys for the city and for plaintiffs seeking to force the city to hold City Council elections in all districts this fall that she would make a decision on…
