On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a comprehensive climate action plan that outlines how to reduce the county’s environmental footprint through 82 recommendations. Commissioner Brigid Shea, who called the plan a “big deal,” told the Austin Monitor that although the plan already has initiatives outlined to reduce the county’s carbon footprint, they […]
Jessi Devenyns
Posted inThe Code
Environmental Commission says Public Works project ‘flies in the face’ of environmental regulations
In order to create easy access and support increased traffic headed to a new Habitat for Humanity development in Southeast Austin, the Public Works Department is working on constructing a road that crosses a “classified waterway.” Under city code, a classified waterway is a body of water identified in the Watershed Protection Ordinance that has […]
Posted inWhispers
Austin Energy assists thousands affected by Covid-19
Since April 9, Austin Energy has given 3,200 residential customers $897,000 in bill relief – nearly nine times the amount of financial assistance the utility typically affords through its Plus 1 Emergency Financial Support Program. The Plus 1 Program provides immediate help to customers who are having financial difficulties and are unable to pay their utility […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Travis County, 6.02.20
The Travis County Commissioners Court meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m. To help our readers stay informed, each week we offer a selection of interesting items from the voting session agenda. The public can access the meeting by watching the livestream or by tuning in to public access Channel 17. The entire agenda is available […]
Posted inWhispers
Decker Creek Power Station finally closing
The Decker Creek Power Station, which burns natural gas, has long been a target for retirement in order to help Austin lower its carbon emissions. After years of preparation, the power station’s oldest steam unit, Decker Plant Unit 1, is 150 days from closure. On June 1, Austin Energy issued a notice of suspension and […]
Posted inWhispers
County opens more parks to generate revenue
After two months of limited park access, things are beginning to open up. On the Friday before Memorial Day, the county opened seven additional parks, including several with boat ramp access. Charles Bergh, with the county parks division, told the Commissioners Court that these public recreation spaces are open with 50 percent reduced parking capacity […]
Posted inWhispers
County keeps leave policies unchanged
On May 26, the Travis County Commissioners Court maintained the status quo for county employees by taking no action regarding leave exemptions for emergency responders and health care providers under the Family First Coronavirus Response Act. FFCRA provides employees with two weeks of paid sick time and 10 weeks of extended paid time to care […]
Posted inTravis County
Travis County considers direct financial allocations to smaller cities
Twenty-one municipalities in Travis County did not receive direct allocations of financial assistance either from the state or the federal government to help temper the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. To help fund relief efforts for their residents, those cities jointly requested a total of $26.2 million from the county’s total federal assistance of […]
Posted inResources
Travis County to fund Las Lomitas pipeline
Las Lomitas, a subdivision of 30 homes in southeastern Travis County, has functioned for decades without access to water or wastewater service. Now Travis County, in partnership with Creedmoor-Maha Water Supply Company, a private water utility, is working to change that. This past Tuesday, the Commissioners Court approved $289,000 to install a waterline for the […]
Posted inPreservation
Historic Landmark Commission once again denies development proposal for Parker House
The family-owned Parker House sits on a 0.32-acre tract of land in West Campus that is worth $1.7 million. In an effort to preserve the historic home at 2404 Rio Grande St. and also develop the back portion of the lot, the property owners applied for removal of the historic zoning from the rear of […]
Posted inDevelopment
Landmark Commission approves demolition of former West Campus grocery store
A two-story brick building at 601 W. 26th St. that has been around since 1890 may soon be replaced by high-rise student housing. Since the original building was altered in the 1950s in a way that has compromised its historical integrity, the Historic Landmark Commission determined it did not meet the criteria for designation as […]
Posted inWhispers
Commission postpones Rainey Street demolition
The Historic Landmark Commission found itself stuck between a rock and a hard place at its meeting on May 18. Although commissioners and staff did not find that the Bungalow and Container Bar at 90-92 Rainey St. met the threshold required for historic designation, they were unwilling to approve a demolition permit to level the […]