District 1
After hiatus, Harper-Madison puts focus on wellness, community involvement
Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison speaks plainly about the burnout and fatigue she was facing for much of 2023, which led to her decision in September to take a nearly two-month leave of absence from her seat on City Council. A…
City Hall • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 28, 2023
Cap Metro settles with city on East Austin real estate deal that paves the way for wastewater project
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is selling the city of Austin a piece of land in East Austin to pave the way for the Walnut Interceptor Odor and Corrosion Improvements capital project. At its meeting on Monday, the Capital Metropolitan…
Transit • By Nina Hernandez • Nov 22, 2023
East 12th Street rezoning wins final approval
City Council gave final approval last week to a major change in land use on East 12th Street from commercial to mixed use, including an increase in height limits from 40 feet to 60 feet. The properties in question are…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Sep 27, 2023
East 12th Street rezoning wins first-round approval
At last week’s meeting, City Council voted unanimously to approve greater height and a zoning change for a property at 3117 and 3121 E. 12th Street for construction of 80 dwelling units, 10 percent of which would be affordable. The…
Development • By Jo Clifton • Sep 6, 2023
NOAA heat impact study puts faces to local effects of 2023 heat wave
Community organizations have been advocating for the city to direct more resources toward heat relief and climate emergency response. A 2021 study examining how extreme heat affects East Austin residents is giving more weight to that work. The study, titled…
Environment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 22, 2023
Environmental Commission wants public engagement on airport development plan update
The Environmental Commission voted to recommend a proposed update to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Master Development Plan at its regular meeting July 5. The original master plan ordinance passed in 1994 was designed as a blueprint for redevelopment of the…
Environment • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 7, 2023
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Memo details progress, plans for African American Cultural Heritage District
The city is preparing to solicit an outside consultant to create an action plan for development of the portion of East Austin known as the African American Cultural Heritage District. Economic Development Department Director Sylnovia Holt-Rabb last month sent a…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 6, 2023
City set to prioritize Colony Park planned unit development application
The Colony Park Sustainable Community planned unit development application process is underway. On Tuesday, City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee unanimously recommended the full Council initiate a streamlined application and rezoning process. “Colony Park represents one of our greatest opportunities…
Development • By Nina Hernandez • May 30, 2023
Planning Commission supports rezoning for mixed-use development on East 12th
A new mixed-use development is in the works on East 12th Street. The Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended approval of a rezoning that would allow taller and denser buildings on two properties at 3117 and 3121 E. 12th St. Developer…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • May 25, 2023
Commissions get updates ahead of RFP for blocks 16, 18
The two city-owned blocks expected to become the anchors of the long-discussed African American Cultural Heritage District will likely include 30,000 square feet of creative space, more than 100 residential units, and a combination of restaurants and office space that…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 21, 2023
Austin launches displacement prevention pilot program
Austin will soon have a network of displacement prevention organizers connecting vulnerable communities with the city programs and resources they need to stay in their homes and communities. The city announced the program’s launch on March 30, during a press…
Housing • By Nina Hernandez • Mar 31, 2023
ZAP recommends rezoning for 330-unit apartment project along Dessau Road
The Zoning and Platting Commission on March 21 recommended a rezoning that would allow a 330-unit apartment project on Dessau Road to move forward, with a majority of the commission dismissing concerns from neighbors that the apartments would “destroy” the…
