TipSheet: Austin City Council, 3.6.25

The Austin City Council will meet today to vote on an abbreviated agenda – just 48 items – but we managed to find a few things to dive into nonetheless. As usual, the entire agenda and backup is also available online and is available to the thorough here.

On today’s modest agenda, the biggest item is most likely to be the “site plan lite” changes that were put off earlier this year in order to give Council some more time to dive into concerns about drainage and flooding. The reforms aim to make the approval process for smaller infill developments faster and easier, in part by introducing a new drainage review process. To mitigate the potential impact of that, Council Member Mike Siegel has proposed a new fee that would go toward drainage infrastructure projects, which has the support of Council Member Chito Vela, who has drafted an amendment that will likely be discussed today. 

In a clear reaction to the recent controversy surrounding the upcoming demolition of the city’s Convention Center and some of its artwork along with it, Council Member Zo Qadri has brought forward a resolution about the Art in Public Places program that promises more clarity on the terms, funding and deaccession options for the program.

Council is also set to approve changes to erosion protections on the Colorado River downstream from the Longhorn Dam. We covered the issue when it was at the Climate, Water, Environment, and Parks Committee last month.

With yet another gas bill increase proposed, City Council will use its limited authority to pause the hike for 45 days today. Though Council cannot stop the increases by Texas Gas Service and CenterPoint Energy Resources Corporation, they can pause them for review for a month and a half, which is likely to be the outcome today.

In good news for affordable housing, Council will also vote on approval of a $30 million increase in rental housing development assistance from the city of Austin’s General Obligation Bond Fund.

In terms of zoning, we’re keeping our eyes on a Manor Road rezoning that has the neighborhood heated, the ongoing saga of Running Rope Ranch, historic zoning for Castle Hill’s Perry House and a case that could determine the future of Foster Village.

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