Stories by Jo Clifton

Council OKs historic zoning for east side house on first reading

On Thursday, City Council approved on first reading only a historic designation for the Romo-Johnson House at 900 Spence St. in East Austin. However, three members of Council abstained from the vote, making it seem unlikely that it will finally…

Preservation • By Jo Clifton • Jan 31, 2025

Proposals to address wildfire dangers face opposition

Two items on today’s City Council agenda related to wildfire prevention have raised alarms among at least two community groups – the Save Our Springs Alliance and Community Not Commodity. The agenda indicates that the first item would allocate nearly…

Fire • By Jo Clifton • Jan 30, 2025

Austin scrambles to assess local impact of federal grant freeze

President Donald Trump issued a directive on Monday ordering a sweeping freeze on federal grants, including money to state and local governments. This action caused an immediate uproar, as well as lawsuits to put the order on hold. A federal…

Austin • By Jo Clifton • Jan 29, 2025

Neighbors seek reversal of site plan approval for Bull Creek office building

It’s a case that never ends. The Champion sisters filed suit against the city in 1994 and again in 2004 over what they could and could not do with their property. At least one slice of that property is still…

Planning • By Jo Clifton • Jan 28, 2025

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Objections arise over Project Connect’s plan to use parkland

Now that the Austin Transit Partnership has released its huge draft environmental impact statement for Project Connect, parks advocates are raising concerns about the proposed expropriation of city parkland by the rail system without the permission of Austin voters. Larry…

Transit • By Jo Clifton • Jan 22, 2025

City management cautions against 2025 bond election

A 2025 bond election would reduce available funding for a comprehensive bond election in 2026, according to a memo from Assistant City Manager Robert Goode sent to City Council through City Manager T.C. Broadnax. The memo offers reasons that Council…

Bonds & Propositions • By Jo Clifton • Jan 17, 2025

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Changes coming to Audit & Finance Committee

With the retirement of City Council members Alison Alter and Leslie Pool, who served as the chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Council Audit & Finance Committee, as well as Council Member Mackenzie Kelly, who served on the committee,…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jan 14, 2025

At citizens’ request, City Council reannexes land

Some property owners object to the rules and fees governing use of their land in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and seek to escape from those rules. But their neighbors may not agree. City Council took action during their final meeting…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jan 10, 2025

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Golden-cheeked warbler may be downlisted to ‘threatened’ status

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has taken the initial step to downlist the Hill Country’s golden-cheeked warbler from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. According to a news release from USFWS, there will be a lengthy process…

Environment • By Jo Clifton • Jan 9, 2025

Lost Creek neighborhood sues city over tax efforts

The Lost Creek Neighborhood Association and two property owners in the area that disannexed from the city of Austin last September have sued the city after residents discovered that the city is still expecting them to pay property taxes. According…

Courts • By Jo Clifton • Jan 8, 2025

Marc Duchen readies to take his place on the dais for District 10

After besting his only opponent in the Nov. 5 election, Marc Duchen is getting ready to take the City Council District 10 seat. He will succeed Council Member Alison Alter, who is retiring after two terms. Duchen represents a change…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jan 3, 2025

Ryan Alter looks back on accomplishments of 2024

District 5 Council Member Ryan Alter is proud of City Council’s many accomplishments in 2024, starting with what is obviously one of his favorite topics: housing. “I think first and foremost, we as a Council made some really important strides…

City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 26, 2024

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Stories by Jo Clifton

Council OKs historic zoning for east side house on first reading

Preservation • By Jo Clifton • Jan 31, 2025