Austin City Council members and their appointees on the city’s Electric Utility Commission Thursday filled the majority of the seats on a task force set up to complete the first review of Austin Energy’s 2010 Generation Plan. That document, a plan that governs Austin Energy’s generation purchases up through 2020, is a key point of […]
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 inDevelopment, Environment, Local Politics
City buying Circle C area golf course, preventing development
Congratulations, Austinites, you are the new owners of the Grey Rock Golf Course and Tennis Facility. In a vote of 6-1, the City Council voted Thursday to purchase the Southwest Austin course, for $9.6 million dollars. For that price, the city will own 292 acres, which is about 180 acres of golf course, and […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Split Council rejects high-dollar condos in low-income neighborhood
In a 4-3 vote, the Austin City Council narrowly denied a zoning change to allow for condos on a plot of land at 600 Kemp St., a small road that runs perpendicular to Montopolis Drive. Council Members Laura Morrison, Mike Martinez, Bill Spelman and Kathie Tovo voted against the new zoning. Before the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs raising tax break for seniors, disabled to $70,000
For the first time in decades, the Austin City Council has raised the property tax exemption for homeowners who are disabled or 65 years or older. The Council voted 5-2 to raise the property tax exemption from $51,000 to $70,000. Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Bill Spelman voted in opposition to the change, […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs lower occupancy limits for new housing
Austin City Council members Thursday approved a downward adjustment in occupancy limits citywide, a move that drops the maximum number of unrelated adults that can live at a given address from six to four. The vote was 6-1 with Council Member Bill Spelman casting the lone ‘no’ vote. Existing houses and duplexes will not […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Resources
Water, wastewater service approved despite objections
Austin City Council members Thursday found themselves boxed into approving water and wastewater service for a development in the drinking water protection zone along FM 620. The extension passed on a 7-0 vote after staff impressed upon Council members the reality of their legal status with regard to the case. Council Member Bill Spelman […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council set to discuss hike for seniors’ tax exemption, may put off action
Two, and possibly three, Austin City Council members appear willing to postpone approval of an increase in the property tax exemption for Austin residents who are 65 and older. The item is currently set for action as part of Council’s today’s agenda. Council Member Mike Martinez, who was careful to give his staff credit […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council to look at new rule: Brew beer here, drink beer here
If the Austin City Council approves changes to city code today, thirsty Austinites will be able to drink their beer straight from the source. Last week, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve code changes that will allow beer sales and consumption at breweries. Commissioner Stephen Oliver recused himself. Last June, the Texas […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council declines to spend FY2013 surplus, debates budget process
Austin City Council members Tuesday continued to wrestle with whether to spend any of the $14.2 million FY2013 budget surplus. In the end, they did not spend any of it and along the way Council Members Laura Morrison and Bill Spelman continued to express broader concerns about the city’s budget process. “How do we […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council approves zoning changes for Rob Roy multifamily project
Despite the opposition of neighborhood residents, the City Council voted unanimously on March 6 to approve changes to land use rules that would allow developers to build a multifamily project. Rob Roy residents were on hand at last week’s Council meeting to register their opposition to a zoning change that would advance the project. […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Council backs creation of new power generation task force
City Council members Thursday approved the creation of a new Austin generation planning task force. The group, as yet unnamed, will “examine and make recommendations regarding the 2014 update to Austin Energy’s current Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan.” Council Member Kathie Tovo was the lead sponsor on the item that created the task force. […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council continues to move toward mid-year budget adjustment
City Manager Marc Ott and his budget staff expressed concern about the notion of another mid-year budget adjustment Tuesday even as City Council members moved forward with a process to consider such amendments. As part of their regular Tuesday work session, Ott did his level best to steer Council members away from what he […]