Stories by Jack Craver
Legal fight over Planning Commission likely to continue
The city of Austin does not appear any closer to resolving a legal challenge from Attorney General Ken Paxton over the composition of its Planning Commission. So far, nobody on City Council has proposed removing any members in response to…
Courts • By Jack Craver • Feb 21, 2019
Casar makes small changes to affordable housing resolution
City Council appears poised to approve a resolution aimed at easing regulations on affordable housing developers. At a Tuesday work session, Council members offered suggestions, but not significant criticism, of the measure drafted by Council Member Greg Casar. The proposal,…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Feb 20, 2019
Council members agree: Cars are not the solution
If the Thursday meeting was any indication, every member of City Council believes that the key to fixing Austin’s transportation problems is reducing the population’s reliance on automobiles. Council members peppered city transportation staff with questions and critiques in response…
Transportation • By Jack Craver • Feb 19, 2019
City has tough decisions on affordable housing bond
The city’s affordable housing challenges were thrown into sharp relief during a presentation Tuesday morning by the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department to members of City Council. The presentation was before Council’s Housing and Planning Committee, but the chair,…
Housing • By Jack Craver • Feb 13, 2019
Council weighs mixed messages from staff on car dealership
City Council approved a request Thursday to provide water and wastewater service to a car dealership in northwest Travis County over the objections of the city’s Watershed Protection Department. The car lot, 620 Volvo Dealership, is going to be built…
Planning • By Jack Craver • Feb 11, 2019
City Council approves settlement with Austin Country Club
City Council endorsed a settlement Thursday aimed at ending litigation between the city and the Austin Country Club. At issue is whether the club – which is expanding its clubhouse and adding a new dining facility, and likely plans to…
Courts • By Jack Craver • Feb 8, 2019
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Casar seeks to reduce parking, compatibility requirements for subsidized housing
City Council Member Greg Casar is proposing a measure aimed at maximizing the impact of low-income housing developments in Austin. The measure, which was unveiled Tuesday and will be on Council’s agenda Feb. 21, directs city staff to craft an…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Feb 6, 2019
City to boost lighting for West Campus
In response to concerns about student safety, the city plans to increase spending to repair and upgrade street lights in the West Campus neighborhood. In a memo released last week, City Manager Spencer Cronk outlined short-term, mid-term and long-term plans…
Austin • By Jack Craver • Feb 5, 2019
Council kicks off new year with measures aimed at affordability
In its first official meeting since the election, City Council unanimously approved several measures aimed at Austin’s growing affordability crisis. In an attempt to increase funding for affordable housing in a rapidly gentrifying part of East Austin, Council approved a…
Austin • By Jack Craver • Feb 1, 2019
City proposes ditching Recycled Reads
Some City Council members are alarmed at a proposal from city staff to phase out Recycled Reads, a service operated by the library system that repurposes, recycles or sells books that are discarded by the library or donated by residents.…
City Council • By Jack Craver • Jan 30, 2019
Commission divided on whether home of architecture icon should be a landmark
The Planning Commission declined to recommend historic zoning for a 70-year-old home in Old West Austin due to recent changes the property owner made to the house. The case demonstrated the tenuous standards that shape the city’s efforts to preserve…
Preservation • By Jack Craver • Jan 29, 2019
Austin Energy considers scams, rising home values in changes to assistance programs
The city-owned electric utility Austin Energy has been a national leader over the past 30 years in helping customers lower their electric bills through energy efficiency programs. In addition to helping customers of all income levels cut costs by reducing…
