Mayor Steve Adler began his new four-year term on an optimistic note, saying that the city is “poised to get some really big things done” when it comes to addressing Austin’s major challenges, notably housing and transportation. Adler, along with two new members of City Council and three incumbents who were re-elected, took the oath […]
Jack Craver
Posted inZoning
North Austin neighborhood group doesn’t want more renters
A family seeking to sell roughly 30 acres of undeveloped property in North Austin won approval last month from the Zoning and Platting Commission for a zoning change that will allow the land to be developed into over 130 homes, along with some office or retail property. The recommendation came at the commission’s last hearing […]
Posted inZoning
Traffic concerns for proposed Braker Lane development give Zoning Commission pause
At the corner of Braker Lane and Dessau Road sits an oddly shaped 0.9-acre parcel of land that has been the subject of at least two heated zoning disputes. In mid-2016, the owner of 1308 E. Braker Lane, Sinh Tron Le, successfully got the property rezoned from SF-2, which allows standard single-family homes, to MF-2, […]
Posted inCourts
Arbitrator rules against city contractor in home repair case
An independent arbitrator has ruled in favor of a homeowner who accused a contractor hired by the city of not doing the necessary work to repair her home and ultimately leaving her house in worse shape than it was originally. Suzanne Janel is one of a number of homeowners who has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with […]
Posted inCity Charter
Paige Ellis represents sharp political shift for Southwest Austin’s District 8
Paige Ellis, the incoming City Council member for District 8, has very different political views from her predecessor, Ellen Troxclair, who spent the last two years as the only Republican on Council. Ellis, who made her affiliation with the Democratic Party central to her campaign, triumphed over Republican Frank Ward in the Dec. 11 runoff […]
Posted inCity Council
Alison Alter relishes academic approach to government
Two years into her tenure on City Council, District 10 Council Member Alison Alter said she remains focused on the reasons she ran for the seat against former Council Member Sheri Gallo. “I didn’t run as a political insider, nor because I craved the spotlight,” she said in an interview with the Austin Monitor at […]
Posted inCity Council
Ann Kitchen focused on ‘fixing people’s problems’
City Council Member Ann Kitchen is the first member of the 10-1 Council to win re-election unopposed. “I was surprised,” Kitchen said of her lack of opponent in this year’s election. “But I was certainly happy about that. I’m pleased that the folks in the district trusted me enough to continue in a second term.” […]
Posted inCity Council
Flannigan reflects on ‘crazy, crazy year’
Council Member Jimmy Flannigan believes City Council had a lot more to deal with in 2018 than it should have. Council welcomed a new city manager, found new chiefs for the police and fire departments, engaged in an extended dispute with the police union over oversight and pay, and tried and failed to overhaul the […]
Posted inCity Council
Greg Casar optimistic but ready to fight in 2019
Council Member Greg Casar has a lot of good things to say about 2018. “In January we laid out a set of goals,” he said, referring to his staff. “We accomplished all of the big priorities.” “Even though we’re under state leadership that is hostile to those sorts of goals, I think that the community […]
Posted inCity Hall
Harper-Madison wants more housing, transportation options for District 1
Above all else, Natasha Harper-Madison, the incoming City Council member for District 1, wants to use her new platform to connect more people to the decisions made every day at City Hall. The campaign Harper-Madison waged for the Council seat over the past year has given her hope that people want to be engaged, though […]
Posted inZoning
Council gives initial approval for plan to transform Sekrit Theater
At its Dec. 13 meeting, City Council unanimously approved a zoning change that will transform Sekrit Theater into a community of small, eclectic houses. “I just want to be creative and build something I can be proud of and that my friends and neighbors can be proud of,” said Beau Reichert, the owner of the […]
Posted inZoning
Old UT Co-op may become medical offices
The former University Co-op building on the corner of Medical Arts and Dean Keeton streets may soon be home to doctors’ offices and banks after City Council voted to rezone the property to allow medical uses and financial services. Following a recommendation by city staff and the Planning Commission, Council voted 7-4 to change the property’s […]