The Transportation Department is currently in the process of “unsplitting” traffic lights at certain intersections as part of its ongoing Traffic Congestion Action Plan. “When we unsplit the signal, we allow the left turns on both sides of the street to run together and the throughs on both sides of the street to run together,” […]
Tyler Whitson
Posted inBicycles
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 in the past year, though that corresponds with a spike in the average number of […]
Posted inWhispers
Water and Wastewater Commission elects officers, more
The Water and Wastewater Commission elected its first set of officers, committee members and appointees Wednesday at its first meeting since transitioning to the new 10-1 system of City Council representation. Commissioner William Moriarty has taken over as chair, and Commissioner Chien Lee is now vice chair. Moriarty appointed Commissioner Mickey Fishbeck Maia as chair […]
Posted inWhispers
ZAP elects new officers
The Zoning and Platting Commission elected a new set of officers Tuesday at its first meeting under City Council’s new 10-1 system of representation. Former Parliamentarian Gabriel Rojas has taken over as chair, Commissioner Jackie Goodman is now vice chair and new commissioners Louisa Brinsmade and Ann Denkler have been elected as secretary and parliamentarian, […]
Posted inPlanning
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 a decision on the issue. On Tuesday, residents asked that Zoning and Platting Commissioners recommend that […]
Posted inWhispers
ZAP postpones Austin Oaks PUD
On Tuesday, the Zoning and Platting Commission postponed a rezoning request to Sept. 15 for the proposed Austin Oaks Planned Unit Development at the southwest corner of MoPac Expressway and Spicewood Springs Road. Jerry Rusthoven of the Planning and Zoning Department said that staff has not yet developed a recommendation on the request, noting that […]
Posted inEnergy
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 study process might look like in a June 25 meeting of the Austin Energy Utility […]
Posted inEnergy
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 a deal in late May with local solar developer PowerFin Texas Solar Projects to construct […]
Posted inWater
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 and essentially cuts off water from the lakes to rice farmers and interests in the […]
Posted inCity Hall
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 staff to return with an ordinance in August that would require candidates, officeholders and political […]
Posted inEnergy
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 president of energy market operations and resource planning, made the statement in a presentation to […]
Posted inCity Council
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 how it will impact customers next year. Council adopted the Watershed Protection Department’s proposed changes […]