The developers of the Carpenter Hotel are trying to strike a delicate balance between protecting the environment, preserving Austin’s heritage and creating a viable business. That was the argument they made before the Environmental Commission on Oct. 19, when they asked for approval to remove two heritage pecan trees from the Carpenters Hall site in […]
City of Austin Environmental Commission
An advisory board to members of the Austin City Council. Its purview includes “all projects and programs which affect the quality of life for the citizens of Austin.” In many cases, this includes development projects.
Posted inZoning
Environmental Commission fears Austin Oaks PUD will threaten too many trees
After months of contentious negotiations, the Austin Oaks planned unit development is nearing its hearing before City Council. But the Environmental Commission hopes to hash out a better tree plan before deciding whether to sign off on the project. At its meeting on Sept. 21, the Environmental Commission voted to convene a committee with representatives […]
Posted inParks
City begins work on new urban trails
Two new urban trails are set to begin construction next March, providing more options for Austinites who prefer to go carless. Teams should complete work on the Upper Boggy Creek Trail, serving neighborhoods on the east side, in November 2017. And work on a new section of the 30-mile Violet Crown Trail North, located in […]
Posted inBudget
Environmental Commission recommends funds for river watchers
The health of Austin’s rivers is carefully monitored on a regular basis by a team of experts. But some of those experts are much younger than many people may realize. Austin Youth River Watch has been training at-risk high school students to check the levels of pollutants in the city’s natural waterways since 1992. The […]
Posted inEnvironment
City arborists need reinforcements
It’s easy to imagine that Austin’s trees are a natural feature of the city, but the abundant greenery lining the streets is actually protected and maintained by a tiny army of arborists. And, with new buildings being built every day, these tree experts are struggling to keep up. “We work extra hours because we’re passionate […]
Posted inEnvironment
Environmental Commission pushes city to join lawsuit over SH 45 SW toll road
Citing concerns about whether a proposed state highway improvement project will contaminate Barton Springs, the Environmental Commission recommended that City Council join a lawsuit against the state agencies behind the project. The proposed toll road, which would be built between MoPac Expressway and FM 1626 and would be known as State Highway 45 SW, could […]
Posted inWater
Commission OKs drainage discount for rain barrels
The city’s Environmental Commission endorsed a proposed ordinance last week that will give property owners the chance to lower their drainage fees if they make efforts to reduce runoff from their properties. Austin Water utility already provides a one-time rebate to homeowners who buy rain barrels and rain gardens, but the Watershed Protection Department decided […]
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission votes narrowly against Grove PUD
After six hours of testimony from neighbors at a previous meeting and a two-and-a-half-hour question and answer session with city staff and project developers at its most recent one, members of the city Environmental Commission remained deeply divided over a major mixed-use planned unit development on a 75-acre parcel of land between 45th Street, Bull […]
Posted inPlanning
Grove PUD plan punted back to developers
After getting the thumbs-down from the Parks and Recreation Department last week, the Grove at Shoal Creek Planned Unit Development has been put in a two-week timeout by the Environmental Commission to give the developer time to address some outstanding environmental issues. The postponement was approved 6-4-1 despite a recommendation in support of the PUD […]
Posted inEnvironment
Commission votes to clean up ‘East Austin’s Mount Bonnell’
In a move some residents and commissioners referred to as symbolic, the Environmental Commission voted to clean up a site that has been called the Mount Bonnell of East Austin. The La Loma trail and Red Bluff site, located behind the city-owned facility at 6301 Harold Court, has been used for illegal dumping for over […]
Posted inCity Council
Council says only three land-use pros on board
City Council voted Thursday to limit to three the number of land-use professionals who may serve on the 11-member Environmental Commission. That is the same number of land-use professionals who were allowed when the commission was only seven members, and members of the commission had at that time recommended unanimously that the number of such professionals […]
Posted inEnvironment
Austin mourns environmentalist Mary Gay Maxwell
Members of Austin’s environmental community were in mourning Thursday after learning of the death of Environmental Commission Chair Mary Gay Maxwell. According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Robbie Barrera, Maxwell died Wednesday afternoon after being involved in a head-on collision outside of Smithville after her car crossed over the median on Highway 71. Maxwell’s […]