City Council is a step closer to acting on a series of recommendations made by a task force aimed at reducing energy costs for poor and near-poor Austinites. But Carol Biedrzycki, who chaired the Low Income Consumer Advisory Task Force and is a member of the Electric Utility Commission, says the recommendations that have been […]
Jack Craver
Posted inBudget
Council explores reducing transfers from utilities
Members of City Council moved ahead Thursday on two initiatives aimed at scrutinizing the role that Austin’s two public utilities play in funding basic city services. Early in the day, the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee, which is composed of every member of Council, voted to adopt a resolution asking city staff to assess the […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Zoning Commission narrowly avoids threat of lawsuit
The Zoning and Platting Commission spent just over half of its four-hour meeting Tuesday debating the merits of a project that the panel does not actually have the authority to change or reject. The commission ultimately voted to approve city staff’s recommendation that a property owner be allowed to add two houses to a 1.17-acre […]
Posted inWater
LCRA releases new plan to conserve water
Water is about to get more expensive for rice farmers in the Lower Colorado River Basin. That message appears to be the gist of the Lower Colorado River Authority’s new Drought Contingency Plan, which emphasizes conservation in response to the 2011-2015 drought. Because of low water supply, the agency has not provided “interruptible water” from […]
Posted inCity Council
Oak Creek affordable housing debate just starting
A developer seeking state tax credits to fund an affordable housing complex in North Austin got a boost from City Council on Thursday, despite loud objections from a large group of neighbors as well as familiar criticism of housing subsidies from the most conservative member of Council. Council voted 9-2 to endorse Saigebrook Development LLC’s […]
Posted inAustin
Council supports “Muny” golf course preservation
When the average American thinks of activities that promote diversity, golf is probably not the first one that comes to mind. But on Thursday, City Council unanimously endorsed a resolution that seeks to recognize the Lions Municipal Golf Course as a historic site, largely because of the unique role that “Muny,” as it is affectionately […]
Posted inWater
Water commissioners hear bad news about Pilot Knob
In another act in the ongoing drama over the Pilot Knob planned unit development, members of the Water and Wastewater Commission spent an hour-and-a-half Wednesday night trying to understand the implications of the controversial deal between the city and a developer that could cost city agencies over $100 million in lost revenue. “This is a […]
Posted inTransportation
City proposes campaign to reduce traffic deaths
If there’s anybody in Austin who doesn’t think that traffic deaths are a major problem, their views were conspicuously absent from a hearing on road fatalities held by City Council’s Mobility Committee last week. Indeed, members of the committee, city staffers and advocates all emphasized the work the city needs to do to reduce car-related […]
Posted inEMS, Public Safety
Council devises short-term fix for EMS staffing
The union representing Austin emergency medical service workers won a partial victory last week when City Council voted to approve three new positions for the EMS call center. Three entry-level employees will be added to the center, and the department has agreed to try to fill three positions reserved for more experienced employees that it […]
Posted inRoads, Transit, Transportation
Mobility Committee considers options for transportation bond
Every member of City Council, including Mayor Steve Adler, turned up Wednesday afternoon for a discussion held by the Mobility Committee on a potential transportation bond election. They heard a slate of possibilities for action on a potential transportation bond, including one that could culminate in a 2016 ballot question. Robert Goode, assistant city manager […]
Posted inDevelopment, Planning
Boys & Girls Club gets nod from Planning Commission
A major new Boys & Girls Club will likely be coming to Northeast Austin, thanks to action taken by the Planning Commission at its Jan. 26 meeting last week. Despite objections from some nearby residents and opposition from the University Hills Neighborhood Association, the panel unanimously adopted a recommendation from city staff to change the […]
Posted inZoning
ZAP OKs medical offices in South Austin
Competing concerns over facilitating the construction of a medical office and maintaining the character of a quiet area led to a compromise among members of the Zoning and Platting Commission on Jan. 19. The panel voted to recommend rezoning a 1-acre plot of land at 8701 Manchaca Road in South Austin, but attached conditions to […]