The Austin City Council took a huge step toward achieving the city’s renewable energy goals on Thursday when it approved up to 300 megawatts’ worth of utility-scale solar contracts that will last for the next 15 to 25 years. The story isn’t over yet, though, as Council has additional contracts on the table that could […]
Tyler Whitson
Posted inWhispers
Council to postpone hearing on small, substandard lots
Based on a conversation at a work session Tuesday, it appears that City Council will postpone a public hearing on an ordinance that would limit the redevelopment of small, substandard lots. Though scheduled for Thursday’s Council meeting, Jerry Rusthoven of the Planning and Zoning Department told Council that staff plans to request postponement of the […]
Posted inThe Code
PUD proposal could impact Grove application
Since it was announced in April, the proposed Grove at Shoal Creek Planned Unit Development has provoked a critical response from neighbors. Now, City Council is mulling over a policy change that could make it more difficult for that project’s zoning request and others like it to get approval. The code amendments that Council will […]
Posted inTransit, Transportation
Cap Metro approves budget for next fiscal year
The rubber will continue to hit the road for Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses and transit services for another year, according to the $357 million Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget that the agency’s board of directors unanimously adopted on Monday. The budget, which goes into effect Thursday, covers $246 million in operating expenses and $111 million […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy one step closer to energy storage
Local energy storage – essentially a giant battery connected to a power grid – seems like a simple idea, but for years it has been too costly for Austin Energy to pursue. That could change next year, though, when the utility hopes to have a Tesla-manufactured, 1.6 megawatt lithium ion battery – the same kind […]
Posted inEnergy, Resources
Full-scale solar option remains on table
In spite of a lengthy debate about how much solar capacity the city should contract into next month, the City Council Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee did not appear to rule out any options at its meeting on Thursday. The course that the discussion followed was similar to the one that has taken place over […]
Posted inAustin
Districts 1, 2 and 4 hardest hit by retail food deserts
Despite beating most others in population growth estimates, Districts 1, 2 and 4 are trailing the rest of the city when it comes to fresh, healthy and affordable retail food options. Edwin Marty, food policy manager for the Office of Sustainability, told the City Council Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee on Wednesday that the […]
Posted inEnergy
Debate heats up over solar energy contracts
There is a solar energy tug-of-war taking place at City Hall. Amid calls from solar advocates for the city to quickly procure 600 megawatts of utility-scale solar energy, Austin Energy will propose to City Council at an Oct. 1 meeting that it take smaller steps and authorize 200 to 300 megawatts’ worth of solar contracts […]
Posted inTransportation
Austin’s most dangerous intersections to get fixes
There may not be a silver bullet that will fix Austin’s increasing traffic fatality problems, but the city is taking a leap forward by funding safety improvements to its five most dangerous intersections starting in October. With little fanfare, City Council included the projects – compiled by the Transportation Department – in the Fiscal Year […]
Posted inThe Code
Council pondering new STR moratorium
Some call Type 2 short-term rentals miniature hotels in neighborhood homes, while others call them an honest way for residents to make money. Either way, they have become a major point of contention, and City Council is considering putting a moratorium on issuing new STR operating licenses while it tests out new regulations. There are […]
Posted inWhispers
Council members criticize Zach Theatre contract
During a work session on Tuesday, City Council Member Ora Houston expressed frustration with a resolution that Council will consider Thursday. In addition to awarding up to $6.4 million in cultural arts services contracts in Fiscal Year 2015-16, the resolution would award the Zachary Scott Theatre Center $60,000 for maintenance under a separate operations agreement. […]
Posted inAustin
City may grow by 2 square miles this year
When Austinites talk about the city’s rapid population growth, they are often referring to people moving into town. Land annexation also contributes, though, and City Council is wrestling with a plan that could add 2 square miles to the city and ultimately house 7,000 residents. Council took its first step toward incorporating the land on […]