City Council approved tweaked regulations to the Short-Term Rental Ordinance that they hope will help smooth out the process, with debate over the issue Thursday turning out to be less contentious that many had expected. They voted 6-1 to approve the changes to the ordinance, with Council Member Kathie Tovo in opposition. The […]
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, Local Politics
Council approves SOS Ordinance variances for Garza Tract
After many years of debate and heartburn, members of the Austin City Council late Thursday night approved a set of Save Our Springs Ordinance variances for a stretch of land in Southwest Austin known as the Garza Tract. With the approval, development on the site can now move forward. Council Member Laura Morrison made […]
Posted inCity Council
City Manager’s 2014 compensation becomes issue
Austin City Council Member Bill Spelman took the unusual step of abstaining Thursday on a vote over FY2014 compensation and benefits for City Manager Marc Ott. The move came as tension appears to mount between at least two Council offices and the City Manager. In remarks delivered just before his colleagues voted to approve […]
Posted inTransit, Transportation
Study: Urban rail could add $31 billion to Austin economy by 2030
A staff-produced study of the potential economic impact of a complete urban rail system for the City of Austin concludes that a layout that includes rail service along South Congress Avenue and East Riverside Drive could result in $31 billion of total economic impact by 2030. The projections further suggest that a project on that […]
Posted inCity Council, Development
Split Council OKs settlement with Jeremiah Venture for development
After a contentious 6-year battle, Austin City Council members reached a settlement agreement Thursday with Jeremiah Venture LP. It came on a reluctant 4-3 vote. With the agreement, the group gets city support in a permitting process that could result in 1,000 single-family homes on the environmentally sensitive Edwards Aquifer. The deal gives […]
Posted inCity Council, Environment, Planning
Council to implement Lake Austin Task Force’s recommendations
Fresh off a presentation from the Lake Austin Task Force, Council members are set Thursday to consider a directive to City Manager Marc Ott that would be the first step in implementation of the Task Force’s recommendations. While some Council members expressed concerns at Tuesday’s work session over the ideas, they appeared ready to move […]