Stories by Jessi Devenyns
Environmental Commission postpones Lantana PCA to encourage compromise
On Feb. 19, the Environmental Commission heard from divided parties arguing their case for whether to recommend implementing a Project Consent Agreement at the Lantana project in Southwest Austin to allow for a mixed-use residential project rather than office space…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 26, 2020
Environmental Commission recommends revising green building standards
Green buildings are intended to be superior constructions built with environmentally sustainable materials and design. While not required, the city encourages this type of construction on a voluntary basis through Austin Energy’s Green Building Program, which rewards builders for green…
Development • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 25, 2020
ZAP recommends less density than staff does for South Austin site
At its Feb. 18 meeting, the Zoning and Platting Commission debated how much density is too much for the lot at 6917 Colton Bluff Springs Road. Although the land is intended for a single project, the 23-acre site is divided…
Zoning • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 24, 2020
More energy-efficient homes are straining Austin Energy's revenues
Austin Energy began its year with higher-than-expected revenues thanks to warmer temperatures this fall. “We’re about 5 percent over the forecast for the quarter in consumption,” said Stephanie Koudelka, the utility’s principal accounting manager, at the Feb. 10 meeting of…
Energy • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 21, 2020
Waste management emergency contract heads to Council with split recommendations
Austin’s dumpster wars continue. The city’s contract with Waste Management of Texas expires Feb. 28. To avoid a public health crisis, City Council will vote tonight on whether to execute an emergency multi-term contract with the waste collector for up…
City Council • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 20, 2020
Water and Wastewater Commission learns cause of foamy water
On Jan. 22, residents in South Austin reported foamy water in their taps following the Austin Fire Department’s extinguishing of a church fire. At the Feb. 12 meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission, Rick Coronado, the assistant director of…
Water • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 19, 2020
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Environmental Commission recommends a variance for 19 feet of fill
A developer building a commercial storage facility project requiring a variance for 19.5 feet of fill to construct a driveway on slopes steeper than a 15 percent grade received a unanimous recommendation from the Environmental Commission at its Feb. 5…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 18, 2020
ZAP finds a compromise to bring density and more affordable housing with a unit cap
In an effort to bring more density to the environmentally sensitive area of far Southwest Austin, developers came to the Zoning and Platting Commission on Feb. 4 with a plan to construct 15 condominiums within a small footprint on their…
Zoning • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 13, 2020
UT professor maps climate vulnerability in Austin
Communities within Austin are disproportionately affected by climate change based on their social vulnerability. Social vulnerability refers to a community’s sensitivity to natural hazards and community members’ capacity to rebound from natural disasters. In a study by Patrick Bixler with…
Austin • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 12, 2020
Austin firefighters look to California to combat wildfire risk
Outside of California, the Austin metro area is one of the regions in the country most vulnerable to wildfire. According to CoreLogic’s 2019 Wildfire Risk Report, the metropolitan area has the fifth-highest risk in the nation for a major wildfire…
Fire • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 11, 2020
HLC debates 'original character' in Smoot-Terrace Park
In the city of Austin, a home is considered historic if it meets several criteria, among them being at least 50 years old. Thanks to the timeline associated with its remodeling choices, the home at 607 Oakland Ave. qualified twice…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 11, 2020
Austin EMS union outlines effects of high call volume and sick leave policies
In recent months, Austin Emergency Medical Services has implemented new policies to improve the lives of its medics. The department has adjusted its start times to be on a more natural wake-up schedule and has instated a new code for…
