Tag Archives: Top Stories
At Capital Metro's Traffic Jam, Adler brings the noise
Mayor Steve Adler’s plan for the next big transportation funding package is a new way forward indeed. On Wednesday night, at a large public engagement event meant to highlight the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s ongoing Project Connect process, Adler suggested…
Transportation • By Caleb Pritchard • Jul 27, 2017
The many balancing acts in Austin's quest for affordable housing
When it comes to providing housing that is affordable to Austin’s poor and working-class residents, city leaders have very few tools at their disposal. The city is barred by state law from implementing the types of regulations that other major…
Land Development Code • By Jack Craver • Jul 25, 2017
CodeNEXT divides commission, spurs review of recommendation process
No city commission has been as prolific in its criticism of CodeNEXT than the Zoning and Platting Commission, and the commission fired off another letter of recommendation at its July 18 meeting in an effort to get feedback in before…
Land Development Code • By Joseph Caterine • Jul 25, 2017
Ethics complaints filed on two city commissioners
Nathan Wiebe, chief of investigations for the Office of the City Auditor, filed two complaints with the city’s Ethics Review Commission this week against members of advisory commissions. Wiebe filed a complaint against Isabel López-Aguilar, a member of the Hispanic/Latino…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jul 20, 2017
Ethics complaint filed against ex-city employee
Nathan Wiebe, chief of investigations for the Office of the City Auditor, filed a complaint with the city’s Ethics Review Commission on Monday against a retired Austin Energy supervisor. In the complaint, Wiebe laid out a case against Stefan Sasko,…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jul 18, 2017
City of Austin welcomes Texas AG opinion on local tree rules
In Austin, and in about 60 other Texas cities, you need to get a permit before you cut down some large or historic trees. Opponents of those tree preservation rules – including Gov. Greg Abbott – call them a violation…
Texas State Legislature • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jul 18, 2017
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Lawmakers to tackle local construction regulations during special session
Local control was a recurring theme during the 85th Texas Legislative session, and many of those policy debates will continue during the upcoming special session. When Gov. Greg Abbott announced the 20 items that will be taken up by lawmakers,…
Development • By Syeda Hasan • Jul 17, 2017
Commission talks reversing institutional racism
Cast out of its usual place in the shadows, racism was put front and center as a topic of discussion during a briefing at the Planning Commission Tuesday night. Eric Tang and Jane Rivera, co-chairs of the Real Estate and…
Austin • By Joseph Caterine • Jul 17, 2017
Ethics commission slaps CTRMA board member with fine
The Texas Ethics Commission has collected a small fine from one of Travis County’s appointees to the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority’s Board of Directors. Charles Heimsath agreed to pay the $300 penalty after consenting to offer no further challenges…
Local Government • By Caleb Pritchard • Jul 6, 2017
Colony Park development expected to move forward this fall
The city’s next big planned unit development will begin moving forward this fall when potential developers begin showing their bona fides and ability to handle the multistage project. The Request for Qualifications process for the Colony Park community in Northeast…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 6, 2017
Eckhardt sends Adler a HOT letter
Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt has put Mayor Steve Adler and Interim City Manager Elaine Hart on notice that the county is still keeping alive its interest in levying a tax on tourists. In a letter sent to both city…
Travis County • By Caleb Pritchard • Jul 5, 2017
Push to landmark 1960s dairy homestead gets new life, and death, at City Hall
For a second time, the Historic Landmark Commission has denied historic zoning for a home that was once the site of the Schieffer Dairy. Though the house at 3901 Brookview Road is now headed for demolition, it has spurred the…
