There’s no denying it: The climate as we know it is changing, but access to water sources is not. Three years ago the second iteration of the Water Forward Task Force convened in an effort to draft a 100-year water supply plan and shift the way the city thinks about its water resources. The task […]
Jessi Devenyns
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission votes against tram, arguing for safety
Everyone knows the saying, “If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?” Well, spoiler alert, the answer should be no. Although that was not exactly the question that the Environmental Commission asked at its Aug. 1 meeting, it did contemplate the virtue of granting a variance to allow the property owners at […]
Posted inWhispers
City environmental officer retires
Everyone who loves the environment is shedding a few tears following Environmental Officer Chuck Lesniak’s announcement. After 28 years with the city, Lesniak is retiring. Even though he told the Austin Monitor that this was his “dream job” when he spoke to us on the radio, he said that it was time to leave due to […]
Posted inPreservation
Commissioners dive into St. Edward’s records
There are many reasons that a building can be historic. One of them is if a structure is a part of a historic district where an architect has produced a significant body of work that embodies a period style and makes the building a landmark. One building does not, however, make a historic district. Unless […]
Posted inPreservation
Commissioners request authentic reconstruction for Lamar Bridge
Sometimes, accidents happen. In an emergency addition to the Historic Landmark Commission agenda on July 23, commissioners heard the case of the Lamar Boulevard Bridge over Shoal Creek. Last month a vehicular collision damaged the bridge, which lies between 12th Street and 15th Street. A portion of the original railing was torn off and landed […]
Posted inPlanning
Seaholm Waterfront study produces a plan that PARD recommends
Seven years ago, the Seaholm Intake building along the shores of Lady Bird Lake was turned over to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, and it has since stood waiting for change. Now, after months of study, community input, and a partnership between the parks department, The Trail Foundation and the Austin Parks Foundation, there is […]
Posted inWhispers
Sexual assault in Austin gets a face
Sexual assault is not sufficiently studied, Kristen Lenau, SAFE response coordinator and Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team coordinator, told the Public Safety Commission at its July 2 meeting. In an effort to correct that, she, along with the Austin Police Department, worked with a three-year grant from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence […]
Posted inParks
Rowing center contract bounced back to committee
After reviewing the reworked terms of the Austin Rowing Club’s new contract extension, the Parks and Recreation Board suggested that they go back to the drawing board. City Council voted unanimously in June to give the Austin Rowing Club the go-ahead to negotiate a new contract to manage and operate the Waller Creek Boathouse on […]
Posted inWhispers
Hill Country AeroModelers club thanks Parks and Rec for 25 years
This year is the 25th anniversary of the Hill Country AeroModelers club partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department. In recognition of the city’s support, Dennis Caudle, 72, and Elliot Turner, 17, came to the July 24 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board to say thank you. Although the club itself has been around […]
Posted inPlanning
Critical water quality zone crossing approved for the second time
Sometimes for development projects, it’s the second time that’s the charm. Over a decade ago, developers of a 42-acre tract of land at 1322 W. Dittmar Road received a variance to construct a private drive across a critical water quality zone to develop the northern portion of the property. However, due to the project never […]
Posted inCity Hall
Despite water bill debacle, Austin’s utility customer service rating remains unharmed
The wounds that last fall’s water bill catastrophe left behind had the potential to open up once again as Austin Energy reviewed its customer service ratings and presented the findings at the July 16 meeting of the Electric Utility Commission. “Didn’t we have a huge spike after the water problem that’s not reflected here?” inquired Commissioner […]
Posted inWhispers
Circuit of the Americas PUD expansion is underway
At the July 18 meeting of the Environmental Commission, City Case Manager Sherri Sirwaitis informed the commission that Circuit of the Americas is preparing to develop 1,037 acres at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard. This planned unit development (PUD) will consist of 852 acres of commercial space, 186 acres of mixed-use space and 248 […]