Austin City Council members today approved nearly $700,000 in economic development incentives designed to lure Dropbox and Websense to the capital region. The agreements will come with stipulations for the creation of 540 new jobs and millions of dollars worth of leasehold and other expenditures. Of late, some Council members have expressed serious reservations […]
Elections
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
City Council approves limits on occupancy rates on first reading
After a very long night at its last meeting, the Austin City Council had taken definitive steps toward a reduction of maximum occupancy rates in single-family dwellings. Council voted on first reading to reduce the maximum occupancy from six unrelated persons to four in a vote of 6-1. Council Member Bill Spelman cast the […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Report says key to Austin’s economic success is staying on top
Austin’s economy – if statistical rankings can be believed – is currently among the best in the country. Judging by those rankings, the city is at or near the top of many publications’ lists for job creation, business environment, places to go to school, live, work, socialize and retire. In their annual Economic Development […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council approves creation of Cascades MUD on first reading
Although the city has long objected to creation of Municipal Utility Districts in its extra-territorial jurisdiction, Council voted 5-2 last night to approve the Cascades MUD in southeast Travis County. Council Members Laura Morrison and Kathie Tovo were opposed. Council Member Mike Martinez made the motion to approve the Planning Commission recommendation with its […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Uncategorized
Tovo attempts to change how city hands out fee waivers for events
Council Member Kathie Tovo took a stab Thursday at shifting the way that the City of Austin pays for fee waivers it awards to major events. Though she was ultimately unsuccessful in changing the current policy, Tovo laid the groundwork for what could be a change in the city’s approach in the future to what […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Uncategorized
Council discusses economic incentives for Dropbox, Websense
Austin City Council members Thursday got their first public look at the data behind a potential incentives deal designed to lure two more technology companies, Websense and Dropbox, to the city. Though whispers – and Council debate over an eventually successful development agreement with Athenahealth – leading up to that briefing indicated some level of […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council to study homestead preservation districts to boost affordability
Austin City Council members are set to consider a measure today instructing city staff to begin evaluating whether the city could use homestead preservation districts as a tool to promote affordability. Council Member Mike Martinez is the sponsor of the resolution. Council has been down this road before. In 2008, Council members approved a […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council considers details of lowering housing occupancy cap
Austin City Council members Tuesday continued to explore a potential change in development rules that lowers the city’s occupancy cap from six to four unrelated persons. Though the measure, brought by Council Member Mike Martinez, is aimed squarely at what some call stealth dorms, wider concerns grabbed council attention. These include questions over how […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council rezones downtown lot to make way for chilling station
Despite concerns about downtown noise, City Council members laid the groundwork for a chilling station for Austin Energy at their last meeting. Austin Energy asked for a change from the current Downtown Mixed Use zoning to Public zoning on its 812½ West Second Street property, which is slightly more than one-half acre in size. […]
Posted inElections, Local Government
Challenger adds some interest to usually quiet County Treasurer’s race
The race in the Democratic primary for Travis County Treasurer hasn’t drawn much attention so far in this election season but that could change as the campaigns near the March 4 Election Day. Incumbent Dolores Ortega Carter, 63, who has held the job since 1987, is being challenged by political newcomer Ramey Ko, 33, […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Uncategorized
Two more tech companies seek incentives from state, city
Both the City of Austin and the Office of Governor Rick Perry announced two separate economic development incentive proposals Thursday that they say would bring 640 new full-time jobs and a capital investment of more than $15 million to Austin. The tech companies are Websense, Inc. and Dropbox, Inc. According to the city’s Economic […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Public Safety, Uncategorized
Audit finds Parks Department lax in managing safety hazards
City Auditor Ken Mory reported to Council members Wednesday that the city’s Parks and Recreation Department “is not effectively managing hazards related to patron safety” and, further noted that “there is limited assurance that hazards identified are corrected promptly.” Mory’s finding was part of an audit of the efficacy of the department’s ability to […]