Austin Energy has seemed to be at odds with environmentalists over its updated power generation plan. And it is likely that the working group tasked with helping the utility come up with a new plan for fueling Austin’s electricity needs will be skeptical about the utility’s plan for reaching carbon neutrality by 2035. City Council, […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inLand Development Code
City hoping to fast-track some changes to land use code
The City Council Housing and Planning Committee last week approved a resolution urging the entire Council to move forward expeditiously with several amendments to the Land Development Code, particularly as they relate to Equitable Transit Oriented Development, called ETOD in city parlance. The resolution is part of proposed Land Development Code changes related to Project […]
Posted inParks
Money for city parks, facilities dwindling
James Snow, director of Capital Delivery Services for the city, on Wednesday gave the City Council Audit and Finance Committee a detailed view of how money has been spent from bonds approved by voters in 2006, 2012 and 2018, with an emphasis on parks, libraries, museums and cultural facilities. The city is more dependent on […]
Posted inCity Hall
Fleet Services moves forward with fuel efficiency, reducing emissions
Although mileage put on city vehicles has continued to grow over the last five years, Austin has been able to reduce the amount of fuel used during that same time period, according to a report Wednesday to the City Council Audit and Finance Committee. Fleet Mobility Services Assistant Director Rick Harland explained a variety of […]
Posted inElections
East side activist Llanes Pulido running for mayor
Longtime Austin activist Carmen Llanes Pulido announced Tuesday that she would be running for mayor. Llanes Pulido, 39, is the executive director of GAVA (Go Austin/Vamos Austin) and a former member of a variety of city organizations, including the Planning Commission and the inaugural Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, which created Austin’s first district map. Llanes […]
Posted inZoning
Valid petitions fail to sway Council in two zoning cases
Last week, City Council approved historic zoning on first reading for a small Folk Victorian house in East Austin over the objection of the owner of the property at 1100 E. Second St. The Planning Commission approved recommending historic zoning in December. The owner, who wanted to demolish the house, filed a valid petition requiring […]
Posted inWhispers
Vertical mixed use cases postponed due to lawsuit
On Thursday, City Council indefinitely postponed two zoning cases that were envisioned as mixed-use developments with tall buildings that would offer housing for low-income Austinites. Because a Travis County judge has found that the city failed to follow proper procedures in approving the Vertical Mixed Use 2 ordinance, those cases cannot move forward at this […]
Posted inPlanning
Council OKs variance to build home in the floodplain
After hearing from the city’s floodplain administrator and the owner of an east side property, City Council unanimously approved two variances to the city’s floodplain regulations on Thursday. Their action will allow property owner Luc Pham to build a house in the 100-year floodplain of Tannehill Branch Creek. The proposed home will be at 1121 […]
Posted inElections
Tovo announces run for mayor
Former City Council Member Kathie Tovo announced Thursday that she is running for mayor this year, a move that will inject a little adrenaline into the race featuring incumbent Mayor Kirk Watson. Tovo served as an at-large council member from 2011 to 2015 and as a representative of District 9 from 2015 to 2023. She […]
Posted inCity Council
Busy Council day includes a call for cease-fire in Gaza
City Council will hear once again from a coalition asking Council as a whole to call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Council members Vanessa Fuentes, Zo Qadri and José Velásquez last month issued a statement in support of the cease-fire. According to a news release from the Austin for Palestine Coalition, the group […]
Posted inWhispers
Council looking at contract for review of homeless services
On Thursday, City Council will decide whether to authorize a $2 million contract with McKinsey & Company, Inc. to provide “a comprehensive review of homelessness strategies, programs, and services.” It is pretty much a foregone conclusion that they will approve the contract, but at Tuesday’s brief work session, Council Member Ryan Alter said analyzing the […]
Posted inCity Hall
Garza appoints new CEO at Austin airport
Interim City Manager Jesús Garza has announced the appointment of Ghizlane Badawi as the interim chief executive officer for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Badawi has worked in a variety of leadership roles at ABIA over the past 15 years. She has most recently served as deputy CEO, focusing on operational resiliency and expanding the airport’s infrastructure […]