Austin residents regularly use city parks but are divided over how they should be maintained, according to a January/February poll of 429 voters commissioned by Notley and conducted by national pollster Change Research for the Austin Monitor. The poll comes as Austin leaders continue to focus on parks and open space and projects like the […]
Nina Hernandez
Posted inPublic Safety
Council orders review of extreme weather shelter policy
In the wake of Austin’s ice storm and corresponding power outages, the city has decided to reconsider how it runs its extreme weather shelters in order to ensure more of the community, particularly people experiencing homelessness, are able to access them in case of disaster. City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly sponsored the resolution, which passed […]
Posted inEnvironment
Mud mixture from jet-fuel storage facility construction site leaks into nearby wetland
In September, about 500 gallons of a mud and water mixture used in construction projects spilled into the wetland on Austin-Bergstrom International Airport property. The accident happened during construction of the new jet-fuel storage facility, and the project developer is in the process of remediating the contaminated mud. Airport officials maintain that the mixture does […]
Posted inDevelopment
Developer unveils conceptual designs for HealthSouth redevelopment
The Economic Development Department and developer Aspen Heights Partners kicked off the stakeholder engagement process by unveiling the conceptual plans for the redevelopment of the former HealthSouth site at 12th and Red River streets at the Design Commission on Jan. 23. Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend the proposal to City Council as complying with the city’s […]
Posted inBudget
City’s hotel tax on the upswing after pandemic
The city’s Arts Commission heard an update last week on the status of the Cultural Arts Fund and Hotel Occupancy Tax collection numbers for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2022-23. After a rough showing during the pandemic, there are signs the revenue source is again on the rise. The Hotel Occupancy Tax – the […]
Posted inParks
Parks board tables recommendation on Zilker vision plan after public debate
The city’s Parks and Recreation Board became an outlet for pent-up concern about the draft Zilker Park vision plan last week. For more than two hours, community members and organizations including the Texas Sierra Club and Save Our Springs Alliance testified about concerns about the city’s public engagement process and components of the resulting vision plan. […]
Posted inEnvironment
Floodplain variance case fails at Environmental Commission over process concerns
Two proposed drainage variances for a property in the West Bouldin Creek Watershed failed to win a recommendation from the Environmental Commission last week after a prolonged process disagreement between city staff and the applicant. Commissioners voted to recommend City Council deny the variances after raising concerns about approving variances before staffers have fully vetted […]
Posted inEnergy
City to look at electric vehicle building code updates
Austin’s building code may soon include updated provisions concerning electric vehicles and electric readiness for new construction. The city’s Resource Management Commission voted at its Jan. 17 meeting to recommend City Council initiate a public stakeholder process to develop rules for the vehicles and the electrical infrastructure needed to charge them. Increasing electric vehicle use […]
Posted inCity Hall
Animal commission checks in on community cat backlog
The Austin Animal Center is working with the Austin Humane Society to increase its spay/neuter capacity and make progress on its backlog of calls about community cats, according to a report from the Animal Advisory Commission’s spay/neuter work group to the full commission on Jan. 9. Community cats refer to free-roaming cats that may be stray or […]
Posted inRoads
City working to maximize cap-and-stitch opportunities in final I-35 plan
As the Texas Department of Transportation proceeds with its Interstate 35 Capital Express project, the city’s cap-and-stitch program is working to maximize the amount of open space and other community amenities included in the final plan. At its Jan. 10 meeting, the Urban Transportation Commission heard an update on the city’s cap-and-stitch planning process. Acknowledging […]
Posted inHousing
Want to know how the city enforces density bonus agreements? Read on.
This week, the Community Development Commission learned more about how the city ensures the reduced-rent housing units created through its density bonus programs go to people who meet the income eligibility requirements. At the commission’s Jan. 10 meeting, Commissioner Karen Paup said she asked staff from the Housing and Planning Department to help them better […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Public Safety Commission raises questions about proposed tow fee increases
The city’s Public Safety Commission wants more information before recommending an updated non-consent towing fee schedule for the Austin Police Department. Commissioners voted to recommend City Council reject the study and send it back for additional work. The item went before the commission at its Jan. 9 regular meeting. A non-consent tow includes police impound, […]