Stories by Kimberly Reeves
RDCC panel OKs one attic expansion but postpones other request
The Residential Design and Compatibility Commission approved one attic expansion and delayed another, with some commissioners rebuking city staff for failing to provide sufficient materials in the commission’s agenda backup. The case that passed the commission, just barely, was…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Nov 9, 2011
Federal panel criticizes state for allowing counties to redraw precincts
Travis County was one of a dozen counties that got caught in the crossfire last week between a federal three-judge panel in San Antonio and the Texas Secretary of State’s office. During court proceedings on Thursday in a hearing…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Nov 7, 2011
Three-judge panel plans to redraw Texas Congressional maps
Congressman Lloyd Doggett was front and center during a review of options for the Texas Congressional map before a federal three-judge panel in San Antonio on Monday. The trio of jurists has announced they intend to draw interim maps…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Nov 1, 2011
Mayor pushes Council districts, announces run for re-election
Mayor Lee Leffingwell used a speech at the Real Estate Council of Austin on Wednesday to pitch his proposal for single-member districts, as well as four-year concurrent Council terms and a permanent move to November elections. That pitch was…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Oct 27, 2011
Travis County postpones adoption of groundwater regulations
Travis County has erred on the side of caution in setting out groundwater regulations for county development, looking to other counties for guidance. That’s not unusual for the county when it comes to environmental regulations. Travis County typically has…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Oct 26, 2011
Subcommittee finishes work on proposed short term rental regulations
A Planning Commission subcommittee has tightened up the language in a short-term rental proposal one more time before sending it off to the legal department for drafting an ordinance the full commission will consider. Commissioner Danette Chimenti guided stakeholders…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Oct 24, 2011
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Planned tower project gets endorsement from Downtown Commission
The Downtown Commission gave attorney Steve Drenner another win last night on CURE zoning for a 380-foot downtown tower that features office and hotel space. The proposed site, which would combine the former Hickory Street Bar & Grill and…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Oct 20, 2011
AISD lays out options to relieve crowding in North Central schools
School administrators laid out new options to relieve crowding in North Central Austin elementary schools at a Saturday morning community forum, another attempt to get a handle on Austin Independent School District’s changing facility needs. Superintendent Meria Carstarphen has…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Oct 17, 2011
LCRA board OKs $5 million match for Bastrop FEMA disaster funds
The Lower Colorado River Authority agreed yesterday to put up the $5 million local match necessary to secure Bastrop County’s FEMA funding for clean-up efforts from the Labor Day wildfires. Bastrop County, which expects a slow painful recovery process,…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Oct 12, 2011
CAMPO members step back from regional planning
Monday’s CAMPO Transportation Policy Board meeting was proof that as soon as local leaders take one step forward in the name of regional planning, they’re just as likely to take two steps back. Members of the regional planning board…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Oct 11, 2011
Council rezones West Avenue properties despite petition
Attorney Richard Suttle won rezoning of a series of properties along West Avenue near the intersection on Seventh Street at Council last night; no small feat given a valid petition had been filed to oppose the zoning changes. The…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Oct 7, 2011
Fourth time is the charm for approval of variance on Rosewood duplex
Agent Jim Bennett had to take his case on Curtis Avenue to the Residential Design and Compatibility Commission four times before he got approval for increased floor-to-area ratios on a two-story duplex. Vice Chair Karen McGraw and Commissioner Mary…
