After a decade of research, public input and development, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is sending its completed draft Habitat Conservation Plan, approved last month, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for approval. The aquifer district board’s recent approval of the plan brings a complex process begun in 2004 to an end. […]
2014
Posted inWhispers
ARIC’s transparency impresses
Greg Foster, the community advocate to the Austin Regional Intelligence Center, told Public Safety Commissioners on Monday that the fusion center’s steps toward increased transparency have impressed him. ARIC aims to “maximize the ability to detect, prevent, apprehend, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity” via shared gathering intelligence between partner organizations, according to the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Housing, Local Government
Affordable housing projects look to locate in Buda
Unsavory concerns and strong emotions reignited in Buda recently, as city staffers informed the city council that two prospects were looking to develop affordable housing rental units there. Previously failed affordable housing proposals earlier this year in Buda are coming back for a second look. In January, three developers interested in pursuing the Texas Department […]
Posted inAustin, City Hall, Local Politics
Boards & commissions transition marches onward
Before it hands over the keys to City Hall, City Council has a few loose ends to tie up. One of the heftier items left to draft concerns how the city’s boards and commissions will handle the shift from the seven-member to the 11-member Council. Early last month, Council members worked out most of the […]
Posted inWhispers
Early voting for runoffs starts today
Today is the first day of early voting for the Dec. 16 runoff elections. Voters may vote at any early voting location in the county in which they are registered. Voters are required to show a current photo ID, unless voting by mail. There are runoff elections for Austin mayor, Districts 1, 3, 4, 6, […]
Posted inDevelopment, Transportation
Lone Star Rail asks Austin for new commitments
Lone Star Rail District representatives have revealed new details about a proposed passenger rail corridor between Georgetown and South San Antonio — with several stops in Austin — and are asking the city to amend an interlocal agreement that City Council approved last December. The proposed LSTAR commuter service would utilize the current Union Pacific freight line […]
Posted inAustin, Elections, Local Politics
Two-page ad attacks political consultant Butts
A two-page color ad in Sunday’s Austin American-Statesman, headlined “Invisible man controls the Austin City Council,” attacks political consultant David Butts and calls on voters to reject some candidates Butts supports in the Dec. 16 runoff election. The ad says, “Did you ever wonder why, no matter how much we vote for change in the […]
Posted inWhispers
Doggett, Eckhardt hosting party for Scruggs
With their own elections squared away, Congressman Lloyd Doggett and Travis County Judge-elect Sarah Eckhardt have time to help fellow Democrats. They will be hosting a fundraiser for District 8 candidate Ed Scruggs, a Democrat who is running against Republican Ellen Troxclair in the Dec. 16 runoff. The party will be at the home of […]
Posted inWhispers
Affordable housing presentation tonight
Tonight, in a follow-up to the 2014 Housing Market Study, the city will host a closer look at the study and get into what impediments Austin has to fair housing. The presentation, by BBC Research & Consulting Managing Director Heidi Aggeler, will be followed by a question and answer period and is open to the […]
Posted inAustin, Development
Oak Hill residents stay late to warn against project
Though both sides recognized the threat of floods in the area, an Oak Hill project that some worry could make floods worse got an initial approval from City Council at its last meeting. Developers are seeking a zoning change from Limited and General Office Use to Multifamily and Mixed Use, and to change the Future […]
Posted inWhispers
Report projects Hispanic business growth
For those who missed it, last week the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce released its 2014 Central Texas Hispanic Business Market Landscape. The report, which surveyed 9,693 Hispanic-owned businesses in the region that generate $4.8 billion in revenue, predicted that by 2020 that number could climb to 51,000 businesses that would generate $12.8 billion […]
Posted inDevelopment, Elections, Local Politics
Reporter’s Notebook: AAS changes endorsement
Casar finally gets paper’s backing in District 4 race … In a Friday editorial titled “Casar for City Council District 4,” the Austin American-Statesman reversed its District 4 endorsement. While the editorial board had already rescinded its endorsement of Laura Pressley, the editorial staff had not gone so far as to endorse opposing candidate Greg […]