Tag Archives: Top Stories
Tree protection programs may not have the impact on property owners many believe
When lawmakers meet in Austin later this summer for a special legislative session, Gov. Greg Abbott wants them to curb Texas towns’ ability to protect local trees. He’s framed his directive as part of a larger effort to end “micro-managing”…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Jun 14, 2017
City code enforcement suit may eliminate affordable units
For weeks, tenants at Orchard Plaza apartments in Windsor Park have been evacuating the premises following a contempt order against the owners for substandard housing conditions. Meanwhile, the question of whether the property will continue to provide affordable housing is…
Housing • By Joseph Caterine • Jun 13, 2017
Consultants dodge questions on ideology behind CodeNEXT
Making a rare appearance, an elephant was spotted waltzing through the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall during the May 30 land use joint commission meeting. Supposedly, the large creature has always been in the room during CodeNEXT work…
Land Development Code • By Joseph Caterine • Jun 12, 2017
Council to consider tool that would bring permanently affordable housing to East Austin
Today, City Council is set to consider implementing a tool that would bring more affordable housing units to the east side. It’s called a community land trust, and it could create homes that remain affordable for decades to come. If…
Housing • By Syeda Hasan • Jun 8, 2017
Local leaders slam Abbott's special session call
The Austin area’s top two elected leaders reacted quickly and harshly to Gov. Greg Abbott’s unusual call for a special session of the 85th Texas Legislature on Tuesday afternoon. “I admit to being a little dumbfounded when I hear what…
Texas State Legislature • By Caleb Pritchard • Jun 7, 2017
Council to weigh move to limit events in major urban parks
Special events in the city’s three core parks will eventually be scaled back in coming years if City Council approves Thursday the first slate of measures aimed at preserving local parkland. The ordinance up for consideration would alter current rules…
Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 7, 2017
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Report finds most traffic on Rainey Street stems from surrounding roadways
Traffic congestion has long been a concern for people who live and work along Rainey Street. Last year, neighbors struck a deal with a developer looking to build new condos in the area. They agreed to conduct a comprehensive traffic…
Planning • By Syeda Hasan • Jun 5, 2017
Central Health board chair lays out case against nominee
The chair of the Central Health Board of Managers is ramping up the pressure on City Council to reject an applicant to the board due to the applicant’s position with a major hospital. In a lengthy letter sent Friday to…
Public Health • By Jack Craver • Jun 5, 2017
Task force endorses plan to expand convention center
After nearly six months of toil, a visibly exhausted Visitor Impact Task Force granted its imprimatur to a proposal to fund the expansion of the Austin Convention Center, albeit with a number of attached recommendations. Tuesday’s vote came at the…
Austin • By Caleb Pritchard • May 25, 2017
For many Austinites, city parks remain out of reach
From the hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Lake to Mount Bonnell, Austin is proud of its parks. But a new study ranking city parks around the country suggests that pride might not be fully justified. Austin ranked just…
Parks • By Mose Buchele, KUT • May 24, 2017
Bunch sues Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau
Austin activist Bill Bunch filed suit after hours Monday against the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (which on April 28 filed an assumed name certificate allowing it to operate under the name Visit Austin) for refusing to disclose the salaries of its…
