Code violators will pay bigger fines for a number of offenses under a new ordinance that City Council is poised to approve. Under the proposed ordinance drafted by the Code Department, the minimum fine for a first offense related to property maintenance rises dramatically, from $20 to $250. The minimum for the second offense would […]
The Code
Posted inThe Code
Nucleus Learning Network Data Vis Series: Austin housing
Join Sarah Morris, a librarian who co-directs an educational nonprofit called Nucleus Learning Network, as she explores data visualization in a new series. Many Austinites are talking about, and expressing a range of opinions about, CodeNEXT, the new proposed Land Development Code for Austin. And many more Austinites, regardless of whether they have explored CodeNEXT, […]
Posted inThe Code
Commission asks Council to delay CodeNEXT mapping
In an act of defiance to the momentum of the CodeNEXT juggernaut, the Zoning and Platting Commission passed a resolution at the closing of its March 7 meeting calling on City Council to direct Planning and Zoning Department staff and consultants to delay the April 18 release of the CodeNEXT mapping until a “cohesive and unified […]
Posted inThe Code
Downtown commissioners hear about live music reforms
A proposed reform that would set new parameters for live music venues and their neighbors is still on pace for a City Council vote this March following scrutiny by the Downtown Commission last week. Alex Lopez, deputy director of Austin’s Economic Development Department, trotted out the so-called “agent of change” proposal before the body on […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Austin Monitor Radio: CodeNEXT update
CodeNEXT Citizens Advisory Group Chair Jim Duncan and Vice Chair Dave Sullivan join Austin Monitor publisher Mike Kanin to chat about the rewrite of Austin’s Land Development Code. Sponsored by Austin Water. Post is embedded below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/297387360″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inThe Code, Uncategorized
BoA postpones interpretation case, disappoints developer
During a special called meeting on Nov. 21, the Board of Adjustment voted to postpone an interpretation case to its next meeting on Dec. 12. Leah Bojo, a senior manager at Drenner Group representing PSW Real Estate, cried “No!” from the audience as Chair William Burkhardt announced that there was time left only to make […]
Posted inThe Code
Council approves Tenant Relocation Ordinance
Affordable housing, and the question of how to get it, has dominated the conversation at City Hall these past few years. This year, City Council has also wrestled with the issue of how to protect residents currently in some of the city’s most affordable housing from being suddenly displaced. As of last night, Austin has […]
Posted inThe Code
City contract hopes to protect tenants who speak up
Black mold and a stack of documents Legal notices and lease copies blanketed a plush beige couch in a North Austin apartment. Rebekah Jara rummaged through the papers. Lawyers had urged her and her fiancé, Juan Aranda, to keep copies of everything. More letters would come. But up to that point, Jara and Aranda had […]
Posted inThe Code
Austin homeowners, hotel industry spar over city’s STR ordinance
The city of Austin is facing legal action over its rules governing short-term rentals. But some in the hospitality industry say those rentals should have to play by the same rules as hotels. Short-term rental supporters and critics sparred over the issue yesterday. Last month, a group of homeowners and renters sued the city of […]
Posted inThe Code
Proposed ordinance puts charter schools at odds with neighborhoods
Though they gave it a shot, members of the Planning Commission’s Committee on Codes and Ordinances were unable to reach an agreement on what to do with the draft ordinance that would remove site development plan exemptions for charter schools. Andrew Linseisen, the Land Use Review Division manager in the city’s Development Services Department, told […]
Posted inThe Code
Charter school fight headed to City Hall
With an ordinance on the table that could mean an end for their current site plan exemptions, some Austin charter schools aren’t waiting for the fight to come to them. Austin Achieve Public Schools, Goodwill Central Texas, Harmony Public Schools, IDEA Public Schools, KIPP Austin Public Schools, Montessori for All, NYOS Charter School and Wayside […]
Posted inThe Code
Ethics complaint against CM Renteria delayed
Did City Council Member Pio Renteria violate city code by participating in recent revisions to the Short Term Rental Ordinance? That question will be left for another day, after a Wednesday night ruling that the complaint filed by Thomas Clark against Renteria needs some work. At its most recent meeting, the Ethics Review Commission was […]