Stories by Elizabeth Pagano
AISD requires masks for all, despite Abbott's order
Facing spiking Covid cases and a fast-approaching fall semester, the Austin Independent School District has made the decision to require face masks in defiance of an executive order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott. “I am responsible for the safety, the…
AISD • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 10, 2021
Defining Del Valle
When you look at a map, it’s pretty easy to distinguish man-made boundaries from the rivers and oceans that have been codified into borders. The edges of Austin have both kinds of boundary lines. Some lines on the map flow…
Local Government • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 2, 2021
City postpones skate shop demolition
A groundswell of support for a beloved Austin skate shop did not fall upon unsympathetic ears at the Historic Landmark Commission. Austin Community College was seeking a permit to demolish No-Comply Skate Shop at 812 W. 12th St. to make…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 28, 2021
West Campus sign variance remains on hold after illuminating discussion
Once again, an accidental ban on illuminated signs has forced developers to seek a variance from an unintentional city statute. Current city code prohibits illuminated signs in the University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO). While the prohibition was made in error, it…
Land Development Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 12, 2021
BoA postpones parking variance for want of a better hardship
Parking requirements could threaten the affordability of a North Central Austin apartment complex. But finding no hardship – aside from the Land Development Code itself – Board of Adjustment members have asked for more information to better consider a variance…
Land Development Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 12, 2021
City mistakes and heritage tree pave the way for East Austin variance
Unaware that it was prohibited by city code, Daniel Salazar carefully nestled his new home against his back property line. The project was approved by the city and the mistake was not identified until after the structure was built. As…
Land Development Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 9, 2021
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More height for Lamar Beach property means more access for all
With the help of a variance from the city’s Board of Adjustment, a new development on a puzzle of a downtown parcel will be moving forward, connecting a neighborhood to the lake in the process. Nikelle Meade, representing Pressler RRI,…
Planning • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jul 8, 2021
City Council makes plans for City Hall return
In news that will be welcomed by those who have grown tired of staring at digital grids of local officials, City Council members have begun to make plans to hold in-person meetings again. Though there is no firm date, and…
City Council • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 7, 2021
Taking cues from audit, Austin continues to shore up its wildfire prevention strategy
Thanks to climate change, Austinites can expect to see more storms, floods and fires in their future. This week, City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee heard what steps the Fire Department has taken to address the threat of wildfires following…
Fire • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 28, 2021
Ethics commissioners dismiss complaint against Harper-Madison
An ethics complaint against Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison was automatically dismissed Wednesday, May 12, after the Ethics Review Commission failed to reach a majority six votes on a motion to postpone or a separate motion to dismiss. The latter…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 20, 2021
With state change, Board of Adjustment could consider new hardships
A move by the Texas Legislature could change the way the city grants variances to the Land Development Code. The bill, House Bill 1475, would add another type of hardship for the Board of Adjustment to consider – the financial…
Texas State Legislature • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 13, 2021
Investigation finds theft and resale at Austin Energy
A city investigation has found that an employee stole and sold more than $130,000 worth of items from Austin Energy. A letter from Rodney Stockton’s attorney, Rick Cofer, clarified that Stockton does not admit responsibility for all of the missing items.…
