Stories by Jo Clifton
Council OKs Affordability Unlocked plan despite neighbors' objections
City Council last week approved a zoning change and neighborhood plan amendment that will allow a developer to build a five-story apartment complex just west of the intersection of South First Street and Eberhart Lane. The vote was 9-0, with…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Dec 19, 2023
Three Council members call for Middle East cease-fire
Responding to calls from the community seeking a City Council resolution supporting a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, Council members Vanessa Fuentes, Zo Qadri and José Velásquez released a statement Thursday calling for peace. The statement reads: “Whether it be…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 15, 2023
Court signs order overturning three zoning ordinances
On Monday, Travis County District Court Judge Jessica Mangrum released her official ruling in Acuña v. City of Austin, finding that City Council violated prior court orders and state law when it approved three major zoning ordinances in 2022. The…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Dec 12, 2023
HOME proponents, opponents speak out
City Council Member Leslie Pool led the charge in talking about the HOME initiative at a City Hall press conference Tuesday. Joining her in promoting the plan to reconfigure Austin’s single-family zoning rules were several Council members as well as…
Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Dec 6, 2023
Audit examines alleged fraud by employee of Forensic Science Department
The former forensic services manager for the city’s Forensic Science Department allegedly misused his city credit card to purchase $3,000 worth of gift cards and firearm accessories for his personal use, according to a report issued by the Office of…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Dec 5, 2023
Council postpones decision on historic Barton Springs Bridge reconstruction
Although city staff urged City Council to authorize a complete destruction and rebuilding of the historic Barton Springs Bridge, Council postponed action on the item Thursday. Several members of the public urged them not to move forward with the plan…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Dec 1, 2023
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Staff, City Council continue to work on HOME initiative
At Tuesday’s work session, City Council heard from the city’s planning staff as well as two architects from the local American Institute of Architects housing committee on various aspects of the HOME initiative, a proposal to make changes to the…
Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Nov 29, 2023
City, plaintiffs at odds over court order on development rules
After the city of Austin lost a lawsuit that claimed City Council had violated the law in approving three ordinances designed to make it easier to develop housing, Judge Jessica Mangrum told the two sides to draw up an order…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Nov 28, 2023
Candidates signing up for 2024 City Council races
Although City Council elections are nearly a year away, two incumbents and eight contenders have already indicated their intention to run by filing paperwork appointing campaign treasurers. Another has also told the Austin Monitor that he plans to run again.…
Local Politics • By Jo Clifton • Nov 22, 2023
Planning Commission wants more teeth in HOME proposal
After 12 hours of listening to citizens’ suggestions and complaints about the proposed changes to the Land Development Code, known as the HOME initiative, the Planning Commission last week came up with a number of technical recommendations for City Council…
Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Nov 21, 2023
Environmental Commission ponders HOME initiative
Dave Sullivan, a longtime advocate for environmental causes and a member of the city’s Environmental Commission, offered his colleagues a motion supporting City Council’s proposed HOME initiative at this week’s meeting. According to Sullivan’s motion, last month the commission heard…
Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Nov 17, 2023
City planning revision of density bonus programs
Members of the city’s Housing and Planning Department say they will be hiring a consultant with expertise in creating and using incentives known as density bonuses to help them untangle the city’s myriad, often competing, development programs. Most of those…
