Stories by Jack Craver
Do historic districts help or hurt affordability?
There is a wide range of views about how historic preservation rules relate to Austin’s housing affordability problems. Some argue that actions taken to prevent the demolition of old homes advance affordability because, in general, older homes are cheaper than…
Preservation • By Jack Craver • Jul 18, 2018
What do Austinites want the city budget to prioritize?
In the process of crafting its annual budget to present to City Council, city of Austin staff held 11 events throughout the city in an effort to hear what Austinites think about how their tax dollars should be spent. In…
Budget • By Jack Craver • Jul 16, 2018
North Austin apartment complex could include 125 affordable units
In many ways, the zoning case before the Planning Commission this Tuesday involving a proposed 258-unit apartment building was pretty typical. A developer wanted to build more units, and nearby neighbors were unhappy about it. What was unusual about the…
Zoning • By Jack Craver • Jul 13, 2018
Campaign for city audit says it has enough signatures for referendum
Organizers of a petition to require an audit of city government announced Wednesday that they had gathered enough signatures to put the question before voters this November. A statement released by Citizens for an Accountable Austin, the group that has…
City Hall • By Jack Craver • Jul 12, 2018
Some areas of the city care a lot more about CodeNEXT
What do Austinites think about CodeNEXT? It’s hard to say. A poll conducted by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, which supports CodeNEXT, found 45 percent in favor, 36 percent opposed and 19 percent unsure. When City Council recently held two…
Land Development Code • By Jack Craver • Jul 11, 2018
Council votes to 'test' CodeNEXT
City Council has asked the city manager to convene a group of development and design experts who will “test” the new regulations proposed in CodeNEXT. The idea is to have a group of building professionals – architects, engineers, urban planners…
Land Development Code • By Jack Craver • Jul 5, 2018
Subscribe to our newsletter
CodeNEXT targets major obstacle to density: Compatibility standards
One of the major divisions over CodeNEXT was brought into sharp relief during a Wednesday City Council special called meeting. The issue: compatibility standards and transition zones. Currently, what one can build on a property is based not just on…
Land Development Code • By Jack Craver • Jul 3, 2018
Council moves forward one of the largest bonds in Austin history
City Council took a crucial first step late Thursday toward presenting voters with one of the largest bond package in the city’s history. Just before 11 p.m., Council endorsed a $925 million general obligation bond that will include major pots…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jack Craver • Jul 2, 2018
Council waives bidding rules for Austin Rowing Club
The Austin Rowing Club is going to get another chance. After hearing dozens of people testify in support of the club, City Council voted unanimously Thursday to give the nonprofit the go-ahead to negotiate a new contract to manage and…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Jul 2, 2018
Council gears up for bond debate
On Thursday, City Council members will try to put together a bond package that a majority on the dais agree to and that they believe a majority of Austin voters will support at the polls in November. Whatever package Council…
Bonds & Propositions • By Jack Craver • Jun 28, 2018
City wants to keep taxi franchise system
The city of Austin doesn’t want to give up on traditional taxicabs, but it acknowledges that they need to adapt to survive in the face of competition from cheaper ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft. On Thursday, City Council…
Transportation • By Jack Craver • Jun 27, 2018
Citizen petition demands city audit
This article has been updated. A spokesperson for Council Member Ellen Troxclair said that the proposed audit ordinance is not on the agenda for the next City Council meeting because one of the initial co-sponsors of the proposal withdrew support.…
