Uncategorized
Planning Commission sees its first development trying to 'unlock affordability'
Last May, City Council unanimously passed the Affordability Unlocked bonus program, a density program that loosens site restrictions and promotes the construction of more units in affordable and mixed-income housing developments. This month, the first developer came before the Planning Commission…
Uncategorized • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 25, 2019
Staff suggests plaza program either be well-funded or be forgotten
After eight months of study, including a two-month extension, the Planning and Zoning Department has finalized its recommendations for a potential public plaza program to make it easier and cheaper for applicants and city departments to create temporary public plazas.…
Uncategorized • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 24, 2019
City leverages development review for transit goals
The Austin Transportation Department says years of efforts to institutionalize Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan visions of a compact and connected city are finally panning out. Since signing a memorandum of understanding in December involving ATD, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority…
Uncategorized • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 14, 2019
Survey says spend creative spaces money throughout East Austin
More than 600 respondents to a recent survey have weighed in to push for the city to use $12 million in bond money to create multiple performance centers for arts and music uses in East Austin. Initial results of the…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 12, 2019
Council zones McKalla Place for end-of-summer groundbreaking
City Council unanimously approved a rezoning of the city-owned McKalla Place property on Thursday, granting Precourt Sports Ventures the entitlements needed to move forward with its proposed site plan. The vote redesignates the property at 10414 McKalla Place and 10617½…
Uncategorized • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 10, 2019
Reporter's Notebook: Very arcane issues
Details, details… Recently, a complaint by the Board of Adjustment brought to light their perceived issues with city-provided legal counsel. It also brought to light a misconception about Austin Monitor coverage. In William Burkhardt’s “Bar Grievance Complaint Against Mr. Brent…
Uncategorized • By Austin Monitor • Jun 10, 2019
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No decision on Butler Pitch & Putt contract
With Mayor Steve Adler and Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison both absent for a vote at Thursday’s meeting, City Council has postponed approving a contract of up to 20 years for Pecan Grove Golf Partners for managing Austin’s nearly 70-year-old Butler…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 7, 2019
Sparks fly over proposed changes to camping laws
Representatives of the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition and the Downtown Austin Alliance continue to stress that they are working together to end homelessness in Austin. But their conflicting messages to City Council on Thursday about proposed changes to ordinances that…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jun 7, 2019
Council to weigh money for a new homeless shelter
City Council members will vote today on items that would expand the number of beds in Austin’s homeless shelters. Council will vote to direct staff to find land and funding for an emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. Members could…
Uncategorized • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Jun 6, 2019
Council to postpone vote on camping, panhandling ordinance
As the city puts more resources into shelters and programs to assist those without a place to live, City Council is also considering modifying three often-counterproductive city policies that target homeless people. The policies prohibit camping in public areas, sitting…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Jun 5, 2019
Austin’s Google Fiberhood smaller than promised
In 2013, with much fanfare, Google announced the arrival of Fiber in Austin, with promises of providing free Google Fiber services to 102 city buildings. But the internet giant has succeeded so far in providing that service to only 28…
Uncategorized • By Jessi Devenyns • May 31, 2019
Historic Landmark Commission postpones demolition of home, has questions about integrity
A picture may be worth 1,000 words, but it does not always clearly tell the story of the integrity of a century-old structure. Such is the case for the Herrera family home at 1805 E. Third St. At the May…
