As the City of Austin looks back on the unprecedented election season that was, questions remain about whether established vetting that worked under an at-large system — such as forums and lengthy questionnaires — is still effective or appropriate. Endorsements, however, appear likely to remain. Indeed, ahead of a standout Austin election season in which 11 new […]
Austin
Posted inAustin, City Council, Transportation
Long road ahead for TNC ordinance
Since City Council approved an ordinance in mid-October that would legalize transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, city staff has been hard at work. Not only are they drafting contracts that authorize these companies to operate under the ordinance, they are putting together a report for Council with suggestions for a pilot program to […]
Posted inAustin, Bicycles, Hays County, Local Government, Transportation, Travis County, Williamson County
CAMPO weakens bicycle, pedestrian funding
Despite repeated objections from Austin City Council Member Chris Riley, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board voted Monday to soften a policy that directs federal funds toward bicycle and pedestrian projects under a proposed long-range plan. The CAMPO board voted to amend a long-standing policy in the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan that […]
Posted inAustin, Development, The Code
Board of Adjustment worries about envelope pushing
With the likelihood of a complete pass from the city fading, one South Austin homeowner will be looking for creative solutions for the problems triggered by a garage door this month. Though some members of the Board of Adjustment appeared reluctant to grant a variance, they did vote unanimously to postpone the variance request at […]
Posted inAustin, City Hall, Local Politics
Town Lake Animal Center in disrepair, ‘not sound’
Town Lake Animal Center continues to operate in disrepair, and a recent state inspection has the Animal Services Department and Austin Pets Alive! scrambling for temporary fixes. Susan Monger, DVM, conducted the inspection this year. That inspection found that the shelter is not structurally sound, nor is it maintained well enough “to protect the animals […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Housing, Transit
City beefs up transit portion of SMART Housing
With a swift, unanimous approval, City Council members amended the transit requirements for the city’s SMART Housing program last week. SMART stands for Safe, Mixed-income, Accessible and Reasonably-priced Transit-oriented housing. Last week, Council tweaked the “T” to require that SMART Housing be located within a half-mile walking distance of a transit route. Council members voted […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Public Health
Committee mulls medical center skybridge proposal
A proposed medical center skybridge continued to provoke discussion Monday, when the City Council’s Comprehensive Planning and Transportation Committee took its turn questioning the need for a pedestrian walkway. The pedestrian bridge, to be located at 15th and Red River streets, has attracted a lot of discussion and attention at City Hall and Central Health. Austin’s […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Development
Council OKs ‘local’ loan for planned hotel franchise
Questions from City Council Member Katie Tovo about a proposed Family Business Loan led to an illuminating discussion at Thursday’s Council meeting about what the word “local” really means. Tovo said she was surprised to find out that the program does not require that loans go to local businesses. Specifically, she wanted to know more […]
Posted inAustin, Preservation
Neighborhood buys time for Cherrywood house
Though no one seemed particularly taken with the house up for demolition, concerns about the looming loss of neighborhood character in Cherrywood were enough to win a postponement at the Historic Landmark Commission’s last meeting. Pecan Valley Homes was seeking a demolition permit for the house at 3900 Cherrywood Road, which was built in 1950. […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Development, Local Government
City Council not yet ready to close sale of quarry
The Austin City Council gave city staff the OK on Thursday to begin negotiations over the sale of a soon-to-be former quarry to the City of Cedar Park, but they elected not to authorize the finalization of that agreement. That move came as Council Member Laura Morrison continued to express concern for the level of […]
Posted inAustin, Housing, Local Politics
Martinez seeks to expand source-of-income regs
On Tuesday, Council Member Mike Martinez told his colleagues at an abbreviated Austin City Council work session that he expects to introduce an amendment that would expand the potential breadth of the city’s pending ban on source-of-income housing discrimination. The item will be considered by council members today. If approved, the city will add “source […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Land Development Code, Planning
More questions raised about Austin micro units
It’s been a tough road for the micro unit ordinance, and so far this week hasn’t been any easier. While City Council passed a micro unit ordinance on first reading Oct. 16, at its most recent work session, it was clear that questions about the proposition remain. Many of those questions came from Council Member […]