Stories by Kimberly Reeves
Planners describe affordable "new urban" Airport Boulevard
The combination of form-based code and a new purpose for Highland Mall could turn Airport Boulevard from an urban drag into a new median-priced uptown. Planner Scott Polikov unveiled some basics of the boulevard plan at an open house…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Oct 3, 2011
Planning Commission votes for changes to flag lots
The Planning Commission has decided to push Council into an area where the city’s Law Department does not want it to go: enforcing private deed restrictions on flag lots. How to subdivide a piece of land to include a…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Sep 29, 2011
Precinct, political lines becoming clearer for Travis Commissioners
The true impact of redistricting on Travis County’s four commissioner precincts is becoming clearer – both logistically and politically. Consultant George Korbel presented Commissioners Court with three maps for consideration on Tuesday. The final map, sent to the Department…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Sep 28, 2011
Residents express anger at East 11th-12th Street consultants
A group of East Side residents offered a strong dose of anger at a meeting last week towards the consulting team hired to address a long-term strategy for East 11th and East 12th streets. Shuronda Robinson, who facilitated the…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Sep 26, 2011
Watson proposes ambitious plan to bring medical school to Austin
As mayor, Kirk Watson brought business to downtown Austin. As chair of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, he spearheaded the passage of the region’s toll road system. Now, as two-term senator, Watson has announced what he considers his most…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Sep 21, 2011
Urban rail system could take Red River route, not Manor Road
A proposed route for urban rail, set to go to Council in October, could connect the Capitol complex, the University of Texas and the Mueller development, with the possibility of putting a maintenance yard within the master-planned community. The question…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Sep 20, 2011
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Council to consider parking benefits districts for Austin neighborhoods
The specifics of parking benefits districts, which could provide needed amenities in high-traffic central city neighborhoods, are expected to head to Council next month. The topic returned to the Urban Transportation Commission Tuesday night. Steve Grassfield, the program manager…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Sep 15, 2011
Travis tells federal judges GOP-drawn redistricting map is unfair
Travis County protested its representation in state redistricting maps before a federal three-judge panel in San Antonio last week, emphasizing that no single Congressional district now represents the county’s common interests. Travis County’s testimony stretched across two days, drilling…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Sep 12, 2011
Commission rejects homeowner’s bid to build out garage
Homeowner Michael McGowan picked the wrong commission if he expected easy approval of his garage conversion at the Residential Design and Compatibility Commission this week. McGowan had the support of 31 of his surrounding neighbors for his construction proposal:…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Sep 9, 2011
Stakeholders still lack agreement on UNO height provisions
Stakeholders intent on revising the University Neighborhood Overlay’s affordability requirements have made progress but still lack agreement on revisions to bonus height provisions within the proposed ordinance changes. The Planning Commission’s Codes & Ordinances Committee hosted a hasty meeting…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Sep 6, 2011
Land use commissioners differ in tone, approach to neighborhood input
No two land use commissions in Austin approach input in the same way, as neighborhood leaders learned at last week’s Austin Neighborhoods Council meeting. The Board of Adjustment, unlike other land use commissions, must rely on findings of fact…
Uncategorized • By Kimberly Reeves • Sep 1, 2011
Council stays late to hear citizens complain about budget
The city’s commitment to public safety services, long the untouched sacred cow in budget negotiations, came under direct attack at last night’s budget hearing. In good years, few have questioned the kind of dollars spent on police, fire and…
