Stories by Jacob Cottingham
Few Barton Springs trees likely to be removed
After months of presentations, scientific examination and dialogue, the Parks and Recreation Board/Environment Board joint subcommittee on Monday issued their recommendations for 31 trees in and around the Barton Springs Pool, which concluded that only four trees be taken down.…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Jun 16, 2009
Eastwood subdivision development postponed
The Zoning and Platting Commission recently voted 4-0 to postpone consideration of the preliminary plan for the Eastwood subdivision, a 2,316-lot development in Austin’s ETJ near Manor. The postponement until July 7 was a compromise between attorneys representing the Eastwood…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Jun 15, 2009
Travis eyes new CDBG projects, tries to avoid HUD censure
Despite an order from the federal government to implement its Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) on a timely basis, Travis County Health and Human Services staff said Tuesday that it’s unlikely they will meet that deadline. Travis County Commissioners…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Jun 11, 2009
Hays again postpones new development regulations
Hays County Commissioners again put off adopting new development regulations for the county again last week due to confusion and protests from property rights advocates, development and real estate interests. The primary point of contention was a proposed minimum…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Jun 9, 2009
Many Travis County measures fail to pass at Legislature
Getting issues through the 81st Legislature turned out to be a difficult task for Travis County. Out of 21 bills the Commissioners Court had marked as “legislative priorities,” nine are heading to Gov. Rick Perry either on their own or…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Jun 4, 2009
BSEACD annexation bill falls short in Legislature
Plans for the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District (BSEACD) to annex a portion of Western Travis County in the state-designated Priority Groundwater Management Area are officially dead. Nearly two years in the making, the BSEACD needed legislative approval to…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Jun 3, 2009
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Holly residents reject contact team for neighborhood
Residents, renters and stakeholders in the Holly neighborhood in near East Austin last night voted to reject by-laws that would have established a Holly Neighborhood Plan Contact Team. Several disgruntled and passionate neighborhood residents ended up curtailing a number of…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Jun 2, 2009
Water rate increase planned for next year, panel told
Austin Water Utility customers will have to dig a little deeper into their wallets for water next year. Members of the city’s Water and Wastewater Commission heard from the AWU finance team last week, who briefed the members on a…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • Jun 1, 2009
Travis aims to use stimulus money for water connections
Travis County Commissioners have retooled how they will approach the Community Development Block Grant money available to the county from the federal stimulus package. The county is eyeing some $226,300 that could be accessed through HUD and the county’s Health…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • May 26, 2009
City works towards compromise on Barton Springs trees
After hearing from citizens concerned about the fate of the Barton Springs trees, and having taken several tours of those marked for possible removal, on Monday the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Board joint subcommittee had a lengthy…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • May 22, 2009
Brack planning team unveils traffic and grad housing plans
On Wednesday the Cooper Robertson & Partners master planning team presented the latest update on their plans for the University of Texas’ Brackenridge Tract, the 346-acre chunk of land on Lady Bird Lake deeded to the university by Col. Brackenridge.…
Uncategorized • By Jacob Cottingham • May 21, 2009
Travis commissioners approve central campus contract
Travis County Commissioners, absent a vote from Pct. 1 Commissioner Ron Davis, unanimously approved Tuesday a $1.535 million central campus study to be conducted by Broaddus and Associates. Purchasing Agent Cyd Grimes has been negotiating with Broaddus since March…
