Despite the fact that Texas counties have very little real control over how unincorporated land is developed, Travis County is giving it its best effort, as Commissioners approved a comprehensive Land Water and Transportation Plan on Tuesday. The plan, the result of 10 years of work and planning by the county’s Transportation and Natural Resources […]
Environment
Posted inAustin, Development, Housing, Resources
Consultant outlines affordable housing study data
Affordable housing advocates and residents gathered at City Hall on Monday to weigh in on the findings and recommendations of a July report that outlines Austin’s affordable housing needs and fair choice impediments. According to the 2014 Comprehensive Housing Market Study, the city has lost a significant amount of affordable housing since 2000, though it […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Government, Resources
Aquifer district finishes Habitat Conservation Plan
After a decade of research, public input and development, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is sending its completed draft Habitat Conservation Plan, approved last month, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for approval. The aquifer district board’s recent approval of the plan brings a complex process begun in 2004 to an end. […]
Posted inCity Council, City Hall, Parks
Audit finds trouble at city cemeteries
A report by the city auditor’s staff found that the Parks and Recreation Department’s Cemetery Operations Group has demonstrated a “general lack of oversight” in managing certain aspects of the city’s municipal cemeteries. Among other issues, the October audit revealed five instances between April 2013 and June 2014 in which Cemetery Operations Group staff sold […]
Posted inElections, Environment, Local Politics
Reporter’s Notebook: Rules are rules
A no-endorsement endorsement, and other missives from the campaign trail . . . Austinites for Equity, a political action committee for the local AFSCME organization, has supported numerous progressive and Democratic candidates. So observers were surprised when they noticed a filing on the City Clerk’s website indicating that the group had spent money apparently in […]
Posted inCity Council, Environment, Parks, Resources, Water
Water worries derail Decker Lake golf course vote
Worries about water — and Central Texas’ persistent drought — have derailed, at least temporarily, plans for the Decker Lake golf course. After hearing concerns from Austin Water Utility Director Greg Meszaros, City Council voted 7-0 to postpone consideration of an agreement to turn over 735 acres of parkland for development of a high-end golf […]
Posted inLocal Government, Resources, Water
LCRA seeks more limits on downstream release
With an analysis predicting the possibility of record low storage levels in lakes Buchanan and Travis early next year, the Lower Colorado River Authority board of directors voted 11-2 Wednesday to ask the state for a fourth year to limit the release of water from the Highland Lakes to agricultural interests downstream. The board also […]
Posted inCity Council, Energy, Resources
Council to consider new utility debt policy
City Council will likely consider a new utility debt policy soon, after learning from staff that customers have accrued about $76 million in electricity debt alone, mostly over the past three years. Staff also reported that customers owe more than $21 million in water and wastewater bills, more than $9 million in waste management and […]
Posted inCity Council, Local Politics, Parks, Public Safety
Council split on new deal for Austin Pets Alive!
City Council members Tuesday continued to debate a potential extension of a contract for Austin Pets Alive! to operate a facility at the Town Lake Animal Shelter. The extension would also include additional leeway for the organization to make needed repairs to the facility. The discussion touched on what Council Member Laura Morrison suggested was […]
Posted inEnergy, Environment, Resources
AE proposes rate change to improve value of solar
At Monday’s Electric Utility Commission meeting, Austin Energy officials presented a rate change that promises to create greater stability in the compensation of residential customers for the value of electricity generated by their solar units. The rate change is part of a broader effort by the utility to help meet the ambitious solar energy goals […]
Posted inAustin, Energy, Environment, Resources
Austin Energy works to increase ECAD compliance
The city’s Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure ordinance went fully into effect this year, and Austin Energy staff say they are happy with the program’s progress and optimistic about its future. City Council adopted the ordinance in 2008 to keep property owners and potential buyers aware of how their buildings stack up with similar ones […]
Posted inElections, Energy, Travis County
Reporters Notebook: Last dance with Austin Energy
Current Council to get one more shot at Austin Energy . . . For those of you worried that the days of the current Council Committee on Austin Energy had ended: Fear not. The committee plans to have another meeting before the last Council meeting, set Dec. 11. Council Member Chris Riley pointed out that […]