In a dramatic turn of events, a late, private offer to purchase city land may have gained some traction, putting the proposed sale of a quarry to a neighboring municipality in limbo for the time being. The sale of a 215-acre quarry at 15700 Anderson Mill Road has been put on hold. City Council was […]
Austin City Council
The Austin City Council is the body with legislative purview over the City of Austin. It offers policy direction, while the office of the City Manager implements administrative actions based on those policies. Until 2015, the body contained seven members, including the city’s Mayor, all elected at-large. In 2012, City of Austin residents voted to change that system and as of 2015, 10 members of the Council are elected based on geographic districts. The Mayor continues to be elected at-large.
Posted inPublic Safety, Transportation
Council OKs TNC regulations on first reading
Early Friday morning, Transportation Network Companies such as Lyft and Uber moved one step closer to operating legally on Austin streets as part of a temporary pilot program, provided they enter into an agreement with the city and follow a set of predetermined regulations. City Council voted 6-1 to approve an ordinance on first reading, […]
Posted inDevelopment
Council votes to delay metered parking plan
A plan that would allow businesses in Austin to count metered street parking toward their parking requirements is getting a little more time for refinement, after a somewhat agitated City Council postponed the ordinance for more work. “It almost seems like this really isn’t ready to be considered,” said Mayor Lee Leffingwell. That was the […]
Posted inDevelopment
PUD changes planned
Proposed changes to the city’s Planned Unit Development ordinance that are intended to increase on-site affordable housing are moving forward with the full support of City Council. Council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution whose objective is to close the “fee-in-lieu” option for affordable housing at PUDs. The changes were brought forward by Council Member […]
Posted inDevelopment
Torchy’s Tacos liquor plan raises eyebrows
A plan to sell hard liquor at the new South Congress Torchy’s Tacos has caught the attention of Austin Interfaith. For its 1822 South Congress Ave. location, Torchy’s Tacos is seeking a waiver from the portion of the city code that requires liquor sales be located more than 300 feet from schools. That location was […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Concrete policy remains abstract for now
A change that could allow more overnight concrete installation downtown faced City Council scrutiny at Tuesday’s work session. “This is where the rubber meets the road, when you are trying to manage the balance between a residential downtown and a downtown that is vibrant and growing,” said Council Member Laura Morrison. “I don’t feel this […]
Posted inDevelopment
Council eyes curtailing fee-in-lieu for PUDs
In a move to get developers to build on-site affordable housing, City Council members are considering offering fewer choices to those who use planned unit development zoning. A resolution — sponsored by Council Member Laura Morrison and co-sponsored by Kathie Tovo and Mike Martinez — would eliminate the option of paying a fee-in-lieu toward affordable […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Water Task Force chair urges innovation for utility
The chair of a task force charged with examining the City of Austin’s position relative to its water resources urged City Council members Tuesday to angle toward “decentralization” of water supply management philosophy and innovation. The switch was suggested to fend off deeper negative impacts related to dwindling supplies. Sharlene Leurig, director of the Sustainable […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council nears verdict on reshuffling commissions
Austin City Council members have begun circling around a final set of actions that could condense the city’s sprawling Boards and Commissions structure in advance of the new 10-1 Council. Though Council took no vote on the new structure at its Tuesday work session, it appeared headed toward some resolution on a handful of the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
‘Source of income’ protection looming at Council
Austin City Council members appear to be nearing final debate over a code change that would bar housing discrimination based on a resident’s “source of income.” Indeed, a Sept. 10 memo from city human resources director Mark Washington to Council outlines staff’s suggested language for the potential change. Some herald the new language as a […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Memo questions legality of living wage mandate for City CIP projects
A memo from Austin Public Works director Howard Lazarus to City Council members and Mayor Lee Leffingwell suggests that a theoretical Council policy that “would require contractors and subcontractors working on (City of Austin) Capital Improvement Program projects to pay workers the city’s living wage” could run into legal issues. In this case, Capital Improvement […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Search our advisory boards appointee database
The City of Austin has a plethora of advisory groups that each inform some aspect of how city government operates and regulates the services it provides for the community. There are more than 60 advisory boards, committees and commissions, including some that regulate water and wastewater, determine historical landmarks, monitor and support equality and quality […]