Stories by Hunter Simmons

Scooter update finds fewer riders and less clutter

Transportation and Public Works has a six-month update on changes to the Micromobility Program, which regulates scooter rentals in the city, reporting positive results stemming from changes that were implemented in May 2024. A cap was set on new micromobility…

Transportation • By Hunter Simmons • Dec 18, 2024

Critical volunteer hours for the Austin Animal Center are not being tallied

According to the Austin Animal Center website, there are about 100,000 free-roaming cats in Austin. That number is a conservative estimate, noting that cats can be impregnated as young as 5 months old and have one to three litters a…

Austin • By Hunter Simmons • Dec 13, 2024

Austin drinking water testing shows 'forever chemical' levels safer than EPA standards

Austin Water has reported that the city’s public drinking water contains little to no traces of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called “forever chemicals” because of their persistence. The Water and Wastewater Commission received a briefing from water quality…

Environment • By Hunter Simmons • Dec 6, 2024

Mobility Committee hears public concern regarding expansion of MoPac

The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) has proposed multiple plans to alleviate traffic along the 8-mile stretch of MoPac Expressway South from Cesar Chavez Street to Slaughter Lane. This decadelong project is nearing the end of the development process…

Roads • By Hunter Simmons • Nov 18, 2024

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Tree ordinances continue to take root in Austin

Since 2020, Austin’s tree regulations and protections have preserved a total of 1,397,678 inches of trees within city limits. Thus far in Fiscal Year 2025, 4,670 inches of trees have been surveyed and 4,250 inches have been preserved, with 91…

Environment • By Hunter Simmons • Nov 14, 2024

Austin Watershed Protection Department proposes code updates to further protect the Colorado River

The Austin Watershed Protection Department held a public meeting on Monday, Oct. 28, at the Montopolis Recreation and Community Center to discuss proposed code updates regarding the Colorado River. In 2022, City Council passed a resolution directing the city manager…

Land Development Code • By Hunter Simmons • Nov 4, 2024

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EPA's Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials Program funds research at UT-Austin

The Joint Sustainability Committee heard a presentation on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials Program at its most recent meeting on Oct. 23. The briefing was an opportunity for committee members to learn about the program, which…

Environment • By Hunter Simmons • Oct 29, 2024

Austin Habitat for Humanity to build affordable homes for 'community of tomorrow'

Habitat for Humanity International announced on Oct. 15 that Austin Habitat for Humanity will host the 2025 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, an annual, weeklong home-building blitz that attracts thousands of handy volunteers. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, last…

Housing • By Hunter Simmons • Oct 21, 2024

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Board of Adjustment approves variances in the interest of health and safety

The Board of Adjustment heard a presentation on Tuesday from David Webber, of the Webber + Studio architectural design firm, who requested two variances for increased impervious coverage and floor area ratio at a property in Old West Austin. The…

Land Development Code • By Hunter Simmons • Oct 17, 2024

Incumbent Fuentes has just one challenger for the Council D2 seat

Austin voters living in District 2 will get to cast their ballots for Vanessa Fuentes or challenger Robert Reynolds in the upcoming City Council race. District 2 encompasses the neighborhoods of Dove Springs, Del Valle, Pleasant Hill, Dittmar, Easton Park…

Elections • By Hunter Simmons • Oct 10, 2024

City Council resolution requiring bollard installations at medical facilities could prevent future tragedies

Following a tragic accident at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center on Feb. 13, City Council responded in July by unanimously approving a resolution to enhance safety measures at medical facilities by requiring installation of bollards at entrances. This week,…

City Council • By Hunter Simmons • Oct 4, 2024

TCSO officers stationed at Central Library

To alleviate pressure on library staff to respond to incidents at the Central Library, 10 officers from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office have been onboarded and cleared for stationing at the West César Chávez Street branch downtown. Officers serve in…

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