Stories by Tyler Whitson
City seeks to "empower" Red River district
With news spreading about the struggles of several music venues in Austin’s Red River Cultural District, many have raised concerns about the future of the area’s identity. Meanwhile, the city is rolling out a new plan that could help give…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 15, 2015
Commission approves Cebolla Creek plan
In spite of concerns about potential flooding, the Zoning and Platting Commission approved a preliminary plan July 7 for the proposed Cebolla Creek subdivision near both Onion and Bear creeks. The move came, however, after a failed motion and a…
Planning • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 14, 2015
Bicycle theft reports, registrations on the rise
Bicycle theft is an issue in every city, and Austin, with its enthusiastic cycling community, is no exception. Data that the Austin Monitor obtained from the Austin Police Department show that the number of reported bicycle thefts has increased slightly…
Bicycles • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 13, 2015
Austin Oaks PUD saga continues
It has been almost a year since developer Twelve Lakes LLC requested a zoning change for the proposed Austin Oaks Planned Unit Development, and it will likely be more than two months before the city is able to come to…
Planning • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 9, 2015
City gears up for energy cost-of-service study
As the city prepares to study how much it costs to run Austin Energy in order to have new electric rates ready for the fall of next year, there are many questions ahead. City Council and staff discussed what the…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 7, 2015
Austin Energy, East Austinites talk solar project
Although solar panels are designed to soak up the sun, Austin Energy spokesperson Carlos Cordova says the utility wants its upcoming local solar project to be “reflective” of the East Austin community that will be its home. Austin Energy inked…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 6, 2015
Subscribe to our newsletter
TCEQ upholds lake release limits
Despite recent wet weather, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality affirmed an emergency order Wednesday that extends limits on downstream releases from lakes Travis and Buchanan. The move comes in response to a request from the Lower Colorado River Authority…
Water • By Tyler Whitson • Jul 2, 2015
Campaign finance database likely on the way
If a plan that City Council has initiated pans out by campaign season, local watchdogs will have a new, convenient tool on their hands for monitoring political contributions in the next election. Council adopted a resolution Thursday that directs city…
City Hall • By Tyler Whitson • Jun 30, 2015
Solar prices keep dropping, says Austin Energy
Although Austin Energy’s recent call for solar power contract solicitations yielded record low prices, the utility advised City Council on Thursday to take a “measured” approach to buying more solar in the next few years. Khalil Shalabi, the utility’s vice…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Jun 29, 2015
Council adopts new drainage fee structure
If all goes according to the city’s plan, Austin residents can expect some significant changes to their monthly drainage fees in October. While City Council has adopted a new underlying methodology for that fee, it still has to decide exactly…
City Council • By Tyler Whitson • Jun 26, 2015
Council picks consultant for energy gap study
In an unusual turn of events, City Council selected a company on Thursday that did not score the most points with Austin Energy staff to conduct an upcoming independent energy gap study. Council voted 7-3 to award the contract to…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Jun 26, 2015
Council wades deeper into drainage-fee issues
As City Council prepares to take action on restructuring the city’s drainage fee today, it is working through several issues that the current proposal presents for residents and property owners. That conversation continued at a special called meeting Tuesday. Council…
