Stories by Jo Clifton
Council to consider pilot program to extend zoning deadlines
The city’s Planning Department staff have been pushed to move a record number of zoning applications through the process in time to beat current deadlines at the city’s land use commissions and City Council. At the same time, the department…
Development • By Jo Clifton • Oct 19, 2023
Council to consider city manager search firm this week
Following a national search, City Council is poised to choose Mosaic Public Partners, LLC to help recruit a new city manager. Former City Manager Spencer Cronk was fired on Feb. 15, and Council immediately appointed former City Manager Jesús Garza…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Oct 18, 2023
Who should regulate Texas Gas Service conservation programs?
Longtime utility critic Paul Robbins has discovered that House Bill 2263, legislation approved by the Texas Legislature this spring, may hamper city efforts to regulate rebates offered by Texas Gas Service. The same would be true of other cities throughout…
Environment • By Jo Clifton • Oct 12, 2023
Council OKs first reading of zoning change but Austin Water wants more
City Council approved on first reading last week an amendment to the Hyatt West Planned Unit Development at the intersection of Riverside Drive and South First Street. As the developer’s representative, Leah Bojo, told the Planning Commission last month, her…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Oct 10, 2023
Council OKs contract for new AI wildfire tool
City Council on Thursday approved negotiation and execution of a contract for what Austin Energy describes as a powerful new tool to aid the utility in wildfire detection and response. The utility says it will use Pano AI technology to…
Fire • By Jo Clifton • Oct 6, 2023
City continues to work on wildfire mitigation strategies
The public may not have noticed, but Austin-Travis County had 963 different brush and grass fire alarms in September, Assistant Fire Chief Andre de la Reza told members of the city’s Public Safety Commission on Monday. The department was able…
Fire • By Jo Clifton • Oct 5, 2023
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Follow-up zoning case promises more housing for South Lamar
City Council on Thursday will consider two linked zoning cases that developers hope will result in tracts for multifamily uses under a unified zoning designation of MF-6, the highest density of multifamily zoning. Council approved the initial zoning for a…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Oct 4, 2023
City plans to remove Barton Springs tree ‘Flo’ this week
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department announced on Monday morning that they would be removing Flo, the nearly 100-year-old pecan tree that leans over Barton Springs Pool, before the pool opens on Thursday. In addition, the department invited members of…
Parks • By Jo Clifton • Oct 3, 2023
East 12th Street rezoning wins final approval
City Council gave final approval last week to a major change in land use on East 12th Street from commercial to mixed use, including an increase in height limits from 40 feet to 60 feet. The properties in question are…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 27, 2023
Brodie Oaks redevelopment wins final approval
City Council gave final approval Thursday to the redevelopment of the Brodie Oaks shopping center, which developers envision as a vibrant mixed-use center with retail space, restaurants, offices and residential towers, as well as green space and a hotel. Attorney…
Development • By Jo Clifton • Sep 22, 2023
Bee Cave residents sue city over proposed roadway
Citizens for the Preservation of the Brown Property, a nonprofit organization operating in Bee Cave, is gearing up for a court battle over the city’s action designating a 4-acre area near Little Barton Creek as a future roadway. The area…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Sep 21, 2023
Council to consider joint hearing with Planning Commission on code amendments
Mayor Kirk Watson wants everyone in Austin to know that City Council will be holding a hearing on changes to the Land Development Code. Specifically, Council will be considering comments on proposals to allow three units per lot in single-family…
