Elizabeth Pagano

Nitrate levels are rising in Barton Springs, but the problem’s cause – and solution –remains unclear.   A recent study conducted by the City of Austin in cooperation with other local agencies and the U.S. Geologic Survey, shows that nitrate levels in Barton Springs and five streams that recharge it are much higher than in […]

Faced with what appears to be an unavoidable loss of a heritage tree downtown, the Environmental Board has called a timeout while they explore more appropriate mitigation for the tree. In the meantime, a working group was formed to discuss alternative compensation for the tree’s removal.   “I think that we can do some things […]

It was no small feat for the Zoning and Platting Commission to settle on a 25-year site plan extension for the Riverbend Church. But, after much haggling, and five motions, the extension was granted. The church was seeking a 75-year extension for the site plan that was initially granted in 1994. Staff recommended a 10-year […]

The Zoning and Platting Commission has approved environmental variances that will allow a 10-foot retaining wall to stand in southwest Austin.   The wall was not part of the approved construction plan, and construction of the homes on the site was red-tagged as a result. After obtaining a permit for the wall, construction remained stalled, […]

Animosity over the outcome of a request for variance at Monday night’s Board of Adjustment boiled over after the meeting, according to a participant. Scott Perry, a neighbor who spoke against the variance request, told In Fact Daily about the altercation in an email, concluding “I filed a complaint with City Hall security over an […]

The Travis County Commissioner’s Court once again tackled its upcoming redistricting, centering on a battle to keep voting precincts 101 and 106 in Precinct One. Commissioners Court was packed Tuesday with supporters of a map drawn by local political consultant Alfred Stanley and submitted by Pct 1. Commissioner Ron Davis, who attempted to call a […]

The Travis County Commissioners Court has reached a compromise with Estancia Hill County developers, who came to court last week hoping to avoid setting aside land for future highway development in the area.   Estancia Hill Country could become the largest new development in the South I-35 corridor, with about 600 acres of mixed-use development […]

Voters from Travis County’s Precinct One packed the newly-opened Richard E. Scott building in East Austin to support Commissioner Ron Davis, and review proposed redistricting maps last week.   Each of the county’s Commissioners have held meetings to discuss redistricting with their precincts. The Precinct One meeting on Thursday was the most heavily attended by […]

It was, once again, standing-room only in chambers as City Council deliberated whether to endorse Formula One for the last time. The council voted 5-2 Wednesday to sign on as an endorsing municipality, with Council Members Laura Morrison and Kathie Tovo casting votes in opposition.   In this latest draft of the agreements that will […]

After exhaustive testimony on both sides of the issue, with only Mayor Lee Leffingwell dissenting, the City Council Thursday opted to delay a vote on Formula 1. The matter will be added to the agenda of a special called meeting on June 29.   Opponents and supporters crowded Council Chambers and spilled into the halls […]

On the eve of a City Council vote that would allow the backers of a planned Formula One race to participate in the state’s Major Events Trust Fund and free up millions of dollars in state tax dollars for organizers, three Travis County residents have filed a lawsuit against State Comptroller Susan Combs.   The […]

Council Members still appeared to be wrestling with signing on as the endorsing municipality for the Circuit of the Americas Formula 1 racetrack at Tuesday’s work session, despite the fact that investors have freed Austin from direct financial obligation in the enterprise. Council Member Chris Riley has taken the lead on one area unrelated to […]