With Draft 3 of CodeNEXT currently under review, the Zoning and Platting Commission voted to send a letter to the mayor and City Council concerning the code’s failure to address problems with the city’s current system of planned unit developments. Commissioner Jim Duncan was the most outspoken about his frustrations regarding the revisions. “I was […]
Sommer Brugal
Posted inRoads
‘Speed cushions’ hit Health and Human Services Committee
Though the program that brings new speed cushions to Austin is currently in a holding pattern, the City Council Health and Human Services Committee received an update regarding traffic calming devices at its meeting last Wednesday afternoon. Chair Ora Houston said the need for the such a discussion arose after several people testified at Council […]
Posted inWhispers
Austin Animal Center reports positive numbers for May
May was a good month for the Austin Animal Center. At its meeting Monday evening, the Animal Advisory Commission heard from Interim Chief Animal Services Offer Lee Ann Shenefiel, who stated that more than 600 animals were adopted last month, with about one-third of those pets being adopted over Memorial Day weekend. She also said […]
Posted inPreservation
Will Smoot Terrace Park be a local historic district?
Old West Austin could be home to another local historic district, if a proposal for Smoot Terrace Park is approved by City Council. The district is located between West Sixth and Ninth streets, covering 17.5 acres of land along Highland Avenue, Oakland Avenue and Pressler Street. City Council heard the proposal at its regular meeting […]
Posted inWhispers
Approval granted, just in time
Despite updated backup documents and a last-minute request, the Zoning and Platting Commission approved the final plat for six lots on 14.57 acres of land at 7300 1/2 McKinney Falls Parkway for the Springfield Commercial – South Final Plat at its meeting on May 15. David Wahlgren, who is a planning officer with the city, […]
Posted inWhispers
Temporary fire stations could be on the way in Del Valle and Travis Country
The Public Safety Commission voted to recommend funding the building of three new temporary fire stations in Del Valle and Travis Country after many residents detailed the area’s delayed response times and unmet needs. Anthony Davis, Austin Fire Department assistant chief, said that while some areas have a 9-minute response time, others could experience a […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Commission votes to expand Injury Prevention Program
In an effort to support the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Service’s efforts to reduce preventable injuries, the Public Safety Commission passed a motion to fund and expand the county’s Injury Prevention Program at its May 7 meeting. Lisa Sepulveda, Austin-Travis County EMS Community Service program manager, said the program provides education, training and resources to […]
Posted inCity Council
City Council approves plan to end homelessness
The rising concern surrounding homelessness and its growing numbers will receive greater attention and resources moving forward, now that City Council unanimously approved a resolution to endorse the city’s Action Plan to End Homelessness at its April 26 meeting. The action plan is the result of the combined efforts of the city and the Ending […]
Posted inWhispers
City Council votes in favor of later nights at music venues
Music venues in the Red River Cultural District can now enjoy later weekend noise curfews thanks to a unanimous vote by City Council that approved the year-old ordinance at its April 26 meeting. The ordinance’s pilot program was approved in January 2017 and studied the area between Seventh and 12th streets and between Trinity Street […]
Posted inZoning
Commission votes to allow residential buffer between neighborhood and small business development
At its April 17 meeting, the Zoning and Platting Commission approved a rezoning on Ferguson Lane and Sansom Road, despite strong urges to reject the proposal from the residents of Walnut Place Neighborhood Association. The agreed-upon motion includes a residential barrier along the east side of the lot. Originally, developers had requested the site at […]
Posted inWhispers
Tackling the questions surrounding “sanctuary cities” law
The Commission on Immigrant Affairs floated the idea of a town hall meeting meant to inform Austin residents about Senate Bill 4 at its meeting Monday evening. Chair Karen Crawford presented the initial idea. The intention for doing so, she said, is to encourage advocacy groups to gather general concerns and questions coming from the […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Human Rights Commission talks density bonuses
Housing affordability in Austin as it relates to CodeNEXT was the center of attention at the Human Rights Commission meeting on Monday, June 26. On behalf of Austin Habitat for Humanity, Greg Anderson, the organization’s director of operations, presented a new form of density bonus incentives as a way to combat the city’s housing challenges. […]