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Tag Archives: Austin City Council

Panelists offer cautious optimism on HOME and other city land use changes

Local real estate and development professionals weighed in Wednesday on the potential impact of the city’s many recent changes in land use policy, which were intended to add housing stock and address the affordability problem that has affected the area…

City launches free swim pilot program, eliminating fees at Walnut Creek Pool this summer

Austin is moving forward with a pilot program aimed at reducing pool fees as a way of increasing access this summer.  The city will eliminate fees entirely at Walnut Creek Pool in North Austin and offer two free days at…

Travis County judge dismisses Paxton's lawsuit over Austin ordinance decriminalizing pot

A Travis County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Austin over its 2022 voter-approved ordinance decriminalizing marijuana possession. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed the suit in January, alleging Austin was violating state law and promoting “the use of…

Kathie Tovo kicks off mayoral campaign criticizing Kirk Watson

Kathie Tovo, who served on City Council from 2012 to 2023, including four years as mayor pro tem, is running for mayor – and she’s not shy about explaining why she wants to replace Mayor Kirk Watson. At her campaign…

Council wants changes to rapid rehousing for homeless ahead of federal aid cutoff

The city will look for ways to improve and possibly restructure assistance programs for those at risk of losing their homes, in anticipation of the end of federal aid used to address homelessness. Last week, City Council approved a resolution…

Council approves 90-foot building for South Congress neighborhood

Facing a valid petition from the neighborhood, City Council provided the bare minimum of nine votes to approve zoning changes in the South Congress and Red Bird Lane neighborhood last week that will allow for development of 90-foot, 275-unit apartment…

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Austin approves additional property tax breaks for seniors and people with disabilities

City Council voted Thursday to raise the property tax exemption for homeowners who are 65 years and older and those with a disability. The move is an attempt to further curtail the amount of money residents pay taxes on. Homeowners…

Council adopts new two-minute rule for speakers

Though City Council moved forward with new two-minute time limits, several speakers at Thursday’s Council meeting urged them to adopt a rule giving each speaker three minutes per item, the amount prescribed by Judge Madeleine Connor in April and Judge…

Following HOME approvals, Council calls for affordability programs to aid longtime residents

Lower- and middle-income homeowners are the target population for a resolution approved by City Council on Thursday intended to create the financing needed to build more homes on existing lots. The resolution, which was led by Council Member José Velásquez,…

Council supports relocating and expanding Barton Creek sewage pipe

The prospect of an expanded and relocated Barton Creek wastewater line has Southwest Austin property owners hopeful of getting redevelopment projects off the ground. On the other hand, environmental advocates worry that an expanded sewage pipe will encourage more growth…

Watson focuses on how to finance city’s environmental goals

City Council on Tuesday received its first briefing on what is expected to be a painstaking journey toward developing and implementing an investment strategy for funding Austin’s Climate Equity Plan. A public hearing is set for today on the creation…

TipSheet: Austin City Council, 5.30.24

City Council will meet today for the last time before its summer break. Because the next meeting isn’t until July 18, one might expect the agenda to be overstuffed, but it’s really not that bad. As usual, we’ve done our…

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