Parks facilities in East Austin are likely to become host sites for a variety of large events in the coming years as the city looks to reduce the event schedule at its major urban core parks. A move toward utilization of parks such as Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park and Onion Creek Memorial Park is […]
Austin City Council Open Space Environment and Sustainability Committee
A City Council committee that reviews environmental matters, including climate change and protection, water, trees, and parks.
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: That’s not a dog. THIS is a dog.
Waterfall of Chihuahuas… If Robert “Crocodile” Corbin’s multiple accounts of abuse by dogs and “arrogant dog owners” are to be taken at face value, it’s no wonder he regularly pleads with city leaders to scrap Austin’s “no-kill” policy. Before urging members of the City Council Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee to evict Austin Pets […]
Posted inPlanning
Lamar Beach Master Plan coming together
Members of the City Council Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee expressed delight Wednesday at the consensus among stakeholders over the Lamar Beach Master Plan, a proposed multimillion-dollar overhaul of Lamar Beach at Town Lake Metropolitan Park. Representatives of the West Austin Youth Association (WAYA), Austin Pets Alive! and Austin High School, all of which […]
Posted inEnvironment
Flooding discussions continue at Open Space Committee
With the promise of rain, Upper Onion Creek resident Ken Jacob says his neighbors can be found with their eyes to the creek and the internet — where rain gauge levels are updated. So it’s essential to someone like Jacob, who serves on the city’s Flood Mitigation Task Force, that the city continue to discuss […]
Posted inAustin
Expo Center revitalization could be city’s next bond election
The Travis County Expo Center – situated on the city of Austin’s largest park – is in need of a $620 million facelift, and City Council members hinted Wednesday that the renovation could be funded by a bond election. News came in the form of Hunden Strategic Partners’ draft report on a market study of the […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: This week’s Council committees
As the Austin Monitor does weekly, we invite you to join our ongoing effort to keep readers up to date with all that is going on at City Hall by providing a tip sheet for City Council committees. As usual, we will be offering highlights of meetings, with links to entire agendas. Audit and Finance […]
Posted inEnvironment
City staff update committee on tree maintenance
More than two decades ago, Austin’s towering Treaty Oak nearly bit the dust after being poisoned by a vandal. The tree was ultimately saved, but when the situation seemed dire, supporters with pockets shallow and deep came out in full force. (Ross Perot handed over a blank check to save the tree.) More recently, the […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: This week’s Council committees
As the Austin Monitor does weekly, we invite you to join our ongoing effort to keep readers up to date with all that is going on at City Hall, by reading our tip sheet for Austin City Council committees. As usual, we will be offering highlights of meetings, with links to entire agendas. Audit and […]
Posted inDevelopment
Parkland dedication fees head to Council, again
The Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee voted on Wednesday to push forward on a long-overdue proposal to amend the city’s Parkland Dedication Ordinance after a one-month delay. During that time, Parks and Recreation Department staff added an additional amendment to what was presented at the Dec. 21 17 City Council meeting. The sixth amendment […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: This week’s Council committees
It’s the last week of January, and the holiday break is officially over! In celebration, we invite you to join our ongoing effort to keep readers up to date with all that is going on at City Hall, by reading our tip sheet for Austin City Council committees. As usual, we will be offering highlights […]
Posted inParks
Playground talk sparks district conflict
Parks advocates appear united in their belief that the city needs to spend more money to provide green spaces and playgrounds for kids, but precisely where it should invest limited resources is a source of contention. At a meeting of the Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee on Thursday, Parks and Recreation Department staff unveiled […]
Posted inAustin
Committee recommends more home buyouts in floodplain
Property values are rising in Austin, even in areas at high risk of flooding. It’s a challenge that the Watershed Protection Department faces as it seeks to buy properties in the Middle Williamson Creek area threatened by flooding, city staff told the Open Space, Environment and Sustainability Committee on Thursday. Mapi Vigil, managing engineer for […]