For the first time in decades, the Austin City Council has raised the property tax exemption for homeowners who are disabled or 65 years or older. The Council voted 5-2 to raise the property tax exemption from $51,000 to $70,000. Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Bill Spelman voted in opposition to the change, […]
Elections
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs lower occupancy limits for new housing
Austin City Council members Thursday approved a downward adjustment in occupancy limits citywide, a move that drops the maximum number of unrelated adults that can live at a given address from six to four. The vote was 6-1 with Council Member Bill Spelman casting the lone ‘no’ vote. Existing houses and duplexes will not […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Resources
Water, wastewater service approved despite objections
Austin City Council members Thursday found themselves boxed into approving water and wastewater service for a development in the drinking water protection zone along FM 620. The extension passed on a 7-0 vote after staff impressed upon Council members the reality of their legal status with regard to the case. Council Member Bill Spelman […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Martinez to emphasize affordability, mobility in campaign for Mayor
Though he won’t be formally launching his campaign for Mayor of Austin until April 5, Council Member Mike Martinez did expand on his Tuesday night “announcement to announce” he was running. Martinez told those gathered Wednesday outside City Hall that he would be formally launching his campaign April 5, starting with a main news […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council set to discuss hike for seniors’ tax exemption, may put off action
Two, and possibly three, Austin City Council members appear willing to postpone approval of an increase in the property tax exemption for Austin residents who are 65 and older. The item is currently set for action as part of Council’s today’s agenda. Council Member Mike Martinez, who was careful to give his staff credit […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council to look at new rule: Brew beer here, drink beer here
If the Austin City Council approves changes to city code today, thirsty Austinites will be able to drink their beer straight from the source. Last week, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve code changes that will allow beer sales and consumption at breweries. Commissioner Stephen Oliver recused himself. Last June, the Texas […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Local Politics, Transportation
Travis Commissioners vote to spend $15 million on SH45 SW
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved spending $15 million in county funds Tuesday toward a plan to extend the southwest portion of State Highway 45 from the end of MoPac Boulevard to FM 1626. The vote fulfilled Travis County’s part of a plan to accelerate construction of the road by the end of this year […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council declines to spend FY2013 surplus, debates budget process
Austin City Council members Tuesday continued to wrestle with whether to spend any of the $14.2 million FY2013 budget surplus. In the end, they did not spend any of it and along the way Council Members Laura Morrison and Bill Spelman continued to express broader concerns about the city’s budget process. “How do we […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics, Transportation
SOS files criminal charge against Daugherty over SH45 SW information
Bill Bunch, executive director of the Save Our Springs Alliance, filed a criminal complaint Monday against Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty. The complaint signed by Bunch was filed on behalf of SOS with County Attorney David Escamilla. SOS alleges that the Precinct 3 Commissioner destroyed, removed or altered public information in his possession related […]
Posted inElections, Local Politics
Morrison says she will not run for Mayor
Council Member Laura Morrison, who has served on the Austin City Council for nearly six years and has been considered a likely candidate for Mayor on the November ballot told the Austin Monitor today that she has decided against the race. Morrison, 59, said decision was a difficult one for her. “I love this […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council approves zoning changes for Rob Roy multifamily project
Despite the opposition of neighborhood residents, the City Council voted unanimously on March 6 to approve changes to land use rules that would allow developers to build a multifamily project. Rob Roy residents were on hand at last week’s Council meeting to register their opposition to a zoning change that would advance the project. […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Public Safety
County may join city in developing local sobriety center
Travis County Commissioners took a step Tuesday toward developing a sobriety center for the Austin area. The resolution passed unanimously, though it came with a few caveats. Commissioners instructed their staff to work with the City of Austin and other stakeholders to develop the sobriety centers as an alternative to incarceration for those found […]