One of the key concepts underpinning the proposed revamp of the city’s land development code will likely not be included in the next draft of the proposal, city staff informed City Council members Wednesday. The team responsible for drafting the new code is considering getting rid of transect zones, Jerry Rusthoven of the Planning and […]
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Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Early numbers in, Red River venues optimistic about impact of new rules
The numbers are starting to roll in on the city’s experiment to allow later outdoor music in the Red River Cultural District. Early financial reports and anecdotes from club owners in the stretch of 13 bars and live music venues paint the city’s pilot program as beneficial to the businesses and Austin musicians. A look […]
Posted inAISD
Bond doubles down on segregation, trustee says
At last week’s Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting, only one trustee voted against the adoption of the list of projects to be included in this year’s bond election: District 1 representative Edmund Gordon. In a sit-down interview with the Austin Monitor, Gordon elaborated on his opposition to the bond package. What it […]
Posted inResources
Study offers a window into the lives of recyclers
Members of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission embraced the results of a six-month study intended to reveal the recycling habits of Austinites at their most recent meeting. Emlea Chanslor, Austin Resource Recovery public information officer, presented the study’s results. She said one of the more important findings indicated that knowledge of what can be recycled […]
Posted inCity Hall
Second Austin Energy employee investigated
For the second time this month, the Office of the City Auditor has released a report alleging that an Austin Energy employee has misused his computer, email account and telephone to work on his secondary employment. According to an investigation report released Friday, Brent Curry, an information technology geospatial analyst who has worked for the […]
Posted inResources
Council approves composting contract despite Texas Disposal Systems objections
City Council approved a contract Thursday to dramatically expand the city’s curbside organics collection and composting program. The new contract builds upon the pilot program that has been in place for nearly four years. Under that program, Organics By Gosh, a local composting firm run by a husband-and-wife duo, processed organic waste collected from the […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Evolve Austin wants to make the case for density
A coalition of businesses and nonprofits hopes to mobilize people to support a new Land Development Code that will make Austin more compact and connected. On Monday, Evolve Austin announced its plans for a yearlong grassroots campaign fueled by volunteer canvassers knocking on doors or soliciting people in public places. The goal is to raise […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Garage placement tool ignites political blowback from Bouldin Creek
Light shone through the cracks in the contact team model for neighborhood planning during deliberation over a neighborhood plan amendment at the most recent meeting of the Planning Commission. The Bouldin Creek Neighborhood Plan, adopted in 2002, includes voluntary design guidelines for the area, one of which is to minimize the use of the garage […]
Posted inAISD
Eastside Memorial could be on the move
At a hastily called meeting this weekend organized by local education advocates, members of the Eastside Memorial High School community gathered in the cafeteria to discuss an Austin Independent School District bond proposal that would move the school to a new facility on the old Anderson High campus. Two members of the district’s Board of […]
Posted inAustin
Animal Advisory Commission weighs Monk parakeet deal
Austin’s population of Monk parakeets has garnered a lot of attention over the past few weeks, with some questioning Austin Energy’s policy for removing the birds’ nests from power lines and utility structures in town. The Animal Advisory Commission heard from Elaina Ball at its June 12 meeting. Ball, who is the chief operating officer […]
Posted inCity Council
Council nixes daytime juvenile curfew, extends late-night curfew through summer
City Council Thursday decided to nix the city’s 27-year-old daytime juvenile curfew, extending instead the city’s nighttime curfew for young people until Oct. 1. At that time, members expect to have a report back on alternatives to a criminal curfew and will consider the late-night curfew again. Most Council members appeared ready to decriminalize the […]
Posted inBicycles
Creek project creates long delay for bridge replacement in Southeast Austin
A major piece of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in Southeast Austin will have been out of commission for nearly five years before it finally reopens, according to the most optimistic plans at the city of Austin’s Watershed Protection Department. The bridge over what’s known as Country Club Creek West in Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River […]