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City billboard battle lands at U.S. Supreme Court today
The long fight between Reagan National Advertising and the city of Austin is nearing the final field of battle – the U.S. Supreme Court. Lawyers for each side are scheduled to make their arguments this morning over the city’s ban…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Nov 10, 2021
Austin ISD didn't increase enrollment this year, meaning staff won't get annual raises
The Austin Independent School District didn’t meet its enrollment goals for this school year, according to data collected for the state in October. The school district lost thousands of students last school year during the Covid-19 pandemic and was hoping…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Nov 10, 2021
ZAP opposes denser homes on substandard Rogers Lane
What should come first, development or the infrastructure to support it? That was the main question the Zoning and Platting Commission wrestled with last Tuesday in a Northeast Austin zoning case. The case concerned a request to rezone an acre…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 10, 2021
CAMPO board approves project funding for seniors and differently abled citizens
At Monday’s meeting of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, a quorum of transit board members, Travis County commissioners and City Council members discussed Federal Transit Administration 5310 Project Call funding, which is primarily intended for projects that increase accessibility and…
Transit • By Seth Smalley • Nov 10, 2021
Scathing audit finds city unprepared for Winter Storm Uri
Austin city auditors found the city was unprepared to respond to the impacts of Winter Storm Uri because planners failed to adequately consider the risks of a severe winter storm, leading to widespread disaster. That was a major conclusion of…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Nov 9, 2021
Cultural trust leaders lay out priorities for $16.9M to help arts and music spaces
The city plans to set up a pipeline of creative spaces to invest in and preserve in the coming years using dollars allocated after $16.9 million currently dedicated to that purpose is exhausted. Leaders of the new economic development corporation…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 9, 2021
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How the Historic Landmark Commission works to preserve Austin’s history
The Historic Landmark Commission is an all-volunteer, 11-member board appointed by members of City Council. The commission reviews applications for heritage grants, considers historic designations, weighs the merits of tax exemption applications, and acts generally as an advocate for historic…
Preservation • By Sean Saldaña • Nov 9, 2021
Multifamily project with ‘sensitive environmental features’ earns water service extension
At last Wednesday’s meeting of the Environmental Commission, the Watershed Protection Department requested a water service extension for a 280-unit, multifamily project on a parcel nearly 70 acres in size, at 8921 U.S. Highway 290 West. The property was originally…
Environment • By Willow Higgins • Nov 9, 2021
City presents long-awaited follow-up on Winter Storm Uri
As Austin prepares for colder temperatures, a coalition of teams led by the city’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has finalized its after-action report on February’s Winter Storm Uri. Staying well past 10 p.m. last Thursday, City Council…
Austin • By Kali Bramble • Nov 8, 2021
Advisory council provides a voice for people experiencing homelessness
In the ongoing discussions about solving homelessness in Austin, it’s rare to have people actually experiencing homelessness included in the conversation. That’s the mission of the Austin Homelessness Advisory Council, a group of Austinites who are currently experiencing or have…
Austin • By Anna Kate Browne • Nov 8, 2021
Neighbors oppose East Austin demolition case
The Historic Landmark Commission reviewed an application to demolish another East Austin home at its Oct. 25 meeting. The proposed demolition of the home, at 1601 Cedar Ave., garnered a significant amount of interest from the surrounding neighborhood. Citing potential…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • Nov 8, 2021
Austin Pets Alive! poised to stay at Town Lake site
City Council overwhelmingly approved a resolution Thursday that appears to give Austin Pets Alive! greater leverage in negotiating a new license agreement with the city to replace the existing deal that expires Nov. 23. The two sides had reached an…
