Stories by Tyler Whitson
Council still far from agreement on TNC ordinance
City Council members demonstrated Tuesday that there is still considerable disagreement about the finer points of an ordinance that would temporarily legalize transportation network companies in Austin, despite its approval on first and second readings, with a final reading on…
Transportation • By Tyler Whitson • Oct 15, 2014
Skeptical Council hears new AE generation plan
Despite disagreements over exactly how much solar energy Austin Energy should purchase by 2020, both sides in a tug of war over the utility’s generation plan agreed Thursday that Austin Energy should move forward with a request for proposals for…
Resources • By Tyler Whitson • Oct 10, 2014
Council approves TNC ordinance on 2nd reading
In an unexpected turn of events, City Council voted Thursday to pass an ordinance legalizing Transportation Network Companies merely on second reading, rather than on the emergency basis that Council Member Chris Riley initially requested. Council Member Laura Morrison cast…
Transportation • By Tyler Whitson • Oct 3, 2014
Council members still skeptical about SH45 SW
City Council members raised several questions during Tuesday’s work session about the effectiveness and environmental sensitivity of the Texas Department of Transportation’s recommended route for State Highway 45 Southwest. The conversation took place as part of a joint briefing by…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Oct 1, 2014
Council OKs TNC regulations on first reading
Early Friday morning, Transportation Network Companies such as Lyft and Uber moved one step closer to operating legally on Austin streets as part of a temporary pilot program, provided they enter into an agreement with the city and follow a…
Public Safety • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 26, 2014
ZAP backs Colony Park despite 'missing middle'
The Zoning and Platting Commission recommended a Planned Unit Development rezoning request for the Colony Park Sustainable Community Initiative last week, despite concerns about a potential “missing middle” effect on affordability. The community would comply with the city’s SMART Housing…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 24, 2014
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Commission backs middle ground approach to LDC rewrite
Despite disagreement over the best way to move forward with CodeNEXT, the Zoning and Platting Commission has approved city staff’s recommendation for a middle-ground approach to rewriting the Land Development Code. Commissioner Gabriel Rojas was the only commissioner to vote…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 22, 2014
District 9 forum focuses on affordability
The three City Council candidates vying to represent Austin’s most central district focused on issues of affordability and housing during Thursday night’s forum. The City of Austin presented the event in partnership with the Ethics Review Commission and the League…
Elections • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 19, 2014
Auto dealer storage garage riles Allandale residents
A group of Allandale neighborhood residents aired their frustrations about Charles Maund Volkswagen’s presence in the area at the last Zoning and Platting Commission meeting. The problem centers around the dealership’s planned construction of a three-story parking garage for nearby…
Development • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 16, 2014
Bicycle Advisory Council keeps Austin on two wheels
Bicycling is big in Austin. When you are the home of Lance Armstrong, even with his tarnished image, you’re bound to have a lot of two-wheelers on your roads, and Austin does. In fact, USA Today recently named Austin as one…
Environment • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 12, 2014
City Council adopts $3.5 billion 2015 budget
City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2015 budget and tax rate Tuesday, despite Mayor Lee Leffingwell’s dissent. Council members voted in favor of an operating budget with an $854 million general fund after approving a set of amendments this week…
Local Politics • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 10, 2014
Leffingwell, Council clash over budget changes
City Council began its 2015 budget adoption reading Monday with Mayor Lee Leffingwell making two unsuccessful motions to reduce the property tax rate. In fact, throughout the day he objected to the majority of Council-initiated operating budget amendments. Deputy Budget…
