Toward the end of what a staff liaison called a historically short meeting, the Board of Adjustment took the uncommon step of denying three variance requests in which the applicants did not show up on time to present their cases. Board members traditionally postpone cases when applicants do not show up to make their case. […]
Gene Davis
Posted inDevelopment
Sign Review Board approves complex sign plan
The Sign Review Board approved a proposal Monday night for a North Central Austin development that the applicant representative, Husch Blackwell attorney Nikelle Meade, called one of the more complicated sign plans she has seen. Meade told board members that planners made eight significant changes to the sign plan for “The Linc,” a development at […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
District 10 candidates ponder changes at City Hall
City Council District 10 candidates talked transportation, water conservation and incentives during Monday night’s Ballot Boxing forum hosted by the Austin Monitor, KUT News, Austin Chronicle, KXAN and Univision. But some of the most interesting comments from the eight candidates vying to represent Austin’s wealthiest district came in response to the night’s most colorful question: […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Public Safety panel punts on Special Events regs
A vote, or more specifically, a non-vote, by the Public Safety Commission on the proposed Special Events Ordinance proved anticlimactic Monday night. Rather than vote on the proposed ordinance as a whole, commissioners voted only to approve a definition change for one section of the ordinance. The definition change approved by commissioners sought to clarify […]
Posted inLocal Politics
At forum, most District 7 candidates reject rail
Seven of the eight candidates at Thursday’s District 7 City Council forum came out against November’s $600 million bond proposition to help fund a rail initiative. The Monitor co-hosted the forum along with the Austin Chronicle, KUT, KXAN and Univision. The forum featuring candidates vying to represent the North Austin gave them a chance to […]
Posted inElections
District 5 candidates oppose Proposition 1
The seven candidates at Monday’s District 5 City Council forum all came out against November’s $1 billion bond proposition to help fund a rail initiative and build roadways. The Austin Monitor co-hosted the forum along with the Austin Chronicle, KUT, KXAN and Univision. In fact, Jason Denny went as far to ask fellow candidates vying […]
Posted inLocal Politics
District 4 candidates talk public safety, affordability
Council candidates vying for the District 4 seat listed safety, sidewalks and affordability as top priorities facing Austin’s densest district in a forum Wednesday, co-hosted by the Austin Monitor and our partners at KUT, KXAN, the Austin Chronicle and Univision. Candidates at the forum pointed out that the north central district consists of approximately 70 percent […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Commission studies hidden costs of SXSW
One day after the news that the 2014 South by Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Festival generated $315 million for the city, Public Safety Commissioners heard about the financial and staffing impacts that special events place on City of Austin departments. Specifically, a report presented to commissioners stated that city departments spent $4.265 million in […]
Posted inEnvironment, Resources
Materials Marketplace boosts Zero Waste plan
City officials are touting a new initiative they say will move Austin toward its Zero Waste goals while helping businesses along the way. The Austin Materials Marketplace is a business-to-business material reuse program. Basically, the initiative created an online database that connects businesses looking to discard unwanted materials with other businesses that could use those […]
Posted inPublic Safety
APD faces tough questions at community forum
During an emotionally charged public forum on police accountability, Austin Police Department Chief Art Acevedo defended the department against accusations that officers unfairly target minorities. The Travis County Democratic Party hosted Tuesday’s forum at the North Door after it passed a resolution calling for action for APD to “address systemic issues surrounding racial profiling, excessive […]
Posted inResources
AISD funding situation dire, panel hears
On the second day back in school for students, Austin Independent School District Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley briefed the Council Audit and Finance Committee on the severe financial challenges the district is facing. Or, as Council Member Laura Morrison put it: “You refer to it as a challenge. But, for me, it seems like […]
Posted inWhispers
Parks board reviews Special Events Ordinance
The Austin Parks and Recreation Board heard a presentation Tuesday evening on revisions made to the proposed Special Events Ordinance. Under the revisions, neighborhood block parties would not fall under the ordinance. Instead, block parties would require a separate permitting process that would be easier to get than a permit under the Special Events Ordinance. Most of […]