On Thursday, City Council approved on first reading only a historic designation for the Romo-Johnson House at 900 Spence St. in East Austin. However, three members of Council abstained from the vote, making it seem unlikely that it will finally gain historic zoning. When the item returns for second and third reading, it will require […]
Districts
Posted inPreservation
Documentary film highlights the history of an 1870s-era home and the story of Clarksville
Everyone involved in the making of “Haskell House and the Story of Clarksville,” a documentary short film about the oldest documented residence within the Clarksville National Register historic district, was recognized by the Austin Parks and Recreation Board at its regular meeting this past Monday. “The Haskell House holds an invaluable piece of our City’s […]
Posted inZoning
Planning Commission endorses plan for vacant lot on Bruning Avenue
A small vacant lot and former junkyard in the North Loop neighborhood may become part of a new housing development stretching across three addresses after a Planning Commission vote to recommend rezoning the tract in a meeting on Jan. 14. The lot, located at 5210 Bruning Ave. and 705 East 53rd St. and near Airport […]
Posted inPlanning
Neighbors seek reversal of site plan approval for Bull Creek office building
It’s a case that never ends. The Champion sisters filed suit against the city in 1994 and again in 2004 over what they could and could not do with their property. At least one slice of that property is still the subject of argument. City Council is set on Thursday to hear an appeal from […]
Posted inPlanning
Planning Commission OKs re-rezoning in Montopolis
The Planning Commission voted to recommend a rezoning petition for a long-empty parcel of land in the Montopolis neighborhood during its Jan. 14 meeting. The vote was contrary to the recommendation of Planning Department staff, who cited concerns about road access and a lack of progress on development at the site since a previous rezoning […]
Posted inPreservation
Commission endorses historic zoning for Castle Hill estate
Another Castle Hill residence is poised to join Austin’s roster of registered landmarks, with owners of 610 Baylor St. winning over Historic Landmark Commission members last week in their bid for historic zoning. Since 1982, the city has granted landmark status to a smaller home at neighboring 608 Baylor St., built sometime around 1903 as […]
Posted inTransportation
Future of Georgian Acres Mobility Hub still up in the air, with final updates to come this spring
Georgian Acres, a neighborhood in far Northeast Austin, is what is known as a “transit desert.” First coined in 2013 as an extension of the concept of a food desert – an area where there is a dearth of grocery stores and healthy food options – a transit desert refers to the exact conditions Georgian […]
Posted inCity Council
Council Member Krista Laine opts to discontinue District 6 field office
As she prepares for her first City Council meetings later this month, newly elected District 6 Council Member Krista Laine will represent residents of Northwest Austin and a portion of Williamson County without the use of a satellite office that has been available for constituent relations for 10 years. After her November win over former […]
Posted inTransportation
Dirty no more? City opts to keep Sixth Street open to traffic at all times
Beginning this weekend, the city will keep Sixth Street open to vehicular traffic on weekends, a substantial departure from decades of street closures designed to accommodate nightlife culture that saw thousands of pedestrians gather in the roadway while moving among the entertainment district’s many bars and nightclubs. City leaders announced the change at a press […]
Posted inCity Council
From deep dives to creative thinking, Alison Alter brought an innovative approach to her policy work
When Alison Alter came into office in 2017, her primary issues were parks, climate change and responsible growth. That was just a preview. Over the next eight years, the District 10 City Council member built an expansive policy portfolio that extended well beyond its initial focus. On a late afternoon in December, Alter reflected on […]
Posted inCity Council
Marc Duchen readies to take his place on the dais for District 10
After besting his only opponent in the Nov. 5 election, Marc Duchen is getting ready to take the City Council District 10 seat. He will succeed Council Member Alison Alter, who is retiring after two terms. Duchen represents a change in personality but has been in agreement with many of his predecessor’s ideas, particularly as […]
Posted inCity Council
Paige Ellis is feeling energized for Council collaboration on parks, climate and mobility in 2025
If Paige Ellis had to sum up City Council’s work this year in one word, she said she would choose “momentum.” Ellis, who represents Southwest Austin’s District 8, has served on Council through a series of challenges that were truly unprecedented – a pandemic, severe winter storms accompanied by sweeping power outages and contentious, generational […]