The Parks and Recreation Board has further delayed a transportation impact analysis of Zilker Park that was originally suggested by City Council two years ago because of concerns the study could draw money away from other parks programs and budget items. At this week’s meeting, the board voted down a recommendation from the analysis working […]
Districts
Posted inDistrict 3, Uncategorized
Arts nonprofit lands historic preservation funding for East Austin gallery space
A historic grocery store-turned-gallery space on East Cesar Chavez is on the path to landmark designation, with unanimous support from the Historic Landmark Commission to initiate the zoning process. The zoning case comes as nonprofit Women and Their Work accepts $104,428 in Heritage Preservation Grant funding for roof, foundation, window and door repair to the […]
Posted inZoning
Valid petitions fail to sway Council in two zoning cases
Last week, City Council approved historic zoning on first reading for a small Folk Victorian house in East Austin over the objection of the owner of the property at 1100 E. Second St. The Planning Commission approved recommending historic zoning in December. The owner, who wanted to demolish the house, filed a valid petition requiring […]
Posted inPlanning
Council OKs variance to build home in the floodplain
After hearing from the city’s floodplain administrator and the owner of an east side property, City Council unanimously approved two variances to the city’s floodplain regulations on Thursday. Their action will allow property owner Luc Pham to build a house in the 100-year floodplain of Tannehill Branch Creek. The proposed home will be at 1121 […]
Posted inPreservation
Historic Black church slated for renovation as duplex
As St. Annie African Methodist Episcopal Church prepares to relocate to new digs farther north, the iconic white building that served as its home for over a century is poised to start a new life as a residential duplex. The building’s new owners secured approval from the Historic Landmark Commission last Wednesday to move forward […]
Posted inWater
Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District installing two monitoring wells at Garrison and Zilker parks
This month, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District will install two new scientific monitoring wells in Garrison and Zilker parks. The new wells will be used to collect information about Edwards Aquifer water level and quality, as well as further the city’s federally mandated task of protecting the health of the endangered Barton Springs and […]
Posted inCity Hall
In first year, Qadri touts progress on housing, collaboration and I-35 caps and stitches
Zo Qadri knew he’d have plenty to learn and adapt to as a new member of City Council after being sworn in last January. But the learning curve became an almost vertical climb as he and the staff in his newly assembled office worked to help residents dealing with power outages and other hardships caused […]
Posted inCity Hall
Alison Alter diversifies her investments in public safety
District 10 City Council Member Alison Alter takes an expansive view of public safety and prioritizes related investments to ensure the city is prepared when threats arise. “My focus this year has been on safety … resilience and effective delivery of core services,” she told the Austin Monitor. Alter’s 2023 goals included entering into new […]
Posted inCity Hall
Leslie Pool launches into the final year of a busy decade
Leslie Pool’s ninth year on City Council has been a productive and busy one. She recalls that she started out 2023 with the intention of helping her newly elected colleagues learn the ropes and accomplish their goals. For Ryan Alter, Zo Qadri and José Velásquez, affordable housing was an important goal. Each emphasized housing in […]
Posted inCity Hall
In 2024, Paige Ellis will focus on her two main loves: mobility improvements and parks
The past year has been a busy one for City Council Member Paige Ellis, who served as mayor pro tem throughout 2023. She described the extra duties of the position as “a great experience.” Noting that Mayor Kirk Watson is very detail-oriented, Ellis said she never had any question about what needed to be done. […]
Posted inCity Hall
Ryan Alter reflects on ‘tangible results’ of his first year in office
When Council Member Ryan Alter was running for office in 2022, he stressed the need for housing affordability, specifically rejecting the slow approach favored by his predecessor. When he came into office in January, he began to work on that issue along with his colleagues. Alter told the Austin Monitor, “I came into office, I […]
Posted inCity Hall
Mackenzie Kelly seeks common ground while pursuing public safety, housing goals in 2024
The photo above the light switch in City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly’s office captures her slim 4 percent win in the 2020 election for the District 6 seat. It serves as a reminder that she works for the 48 percent of the voters who didn’t select her, as well as the 52 percent who did. […]