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Austin Monitor
City, plaintiffs at odds over court order on development rules
After the city of Austin lost a lawsuit that claimed City Council had violated the law in approving three ordinances designed to make it easier to develop housing, Judge Jessica Mangrum told the two sides to draw up an order reflecting her decisions, including any fines the city would be required to pay as a result of violating a previous order. According to the ruling, the city violated laws requiring notice to individual property owners when a zoning change is proposed.
Demography map shows 90,000 new housing units wasn’t enough for Austin’s growth
A new interactive map released by the Planning Department shows some of the ways Austin’s housing supply has changed dramatically over the course of a decade in which the city has become one of the most popular destinations in the U.S. The city Demography Division’s Demography Story Map reflects...
Austin Energy customers can expect to see another increase to their December bills
Austin Energy customers should expect to see another increase on their utility bills starting Friday. The city’s energy company said customers will see a bump of 5 percent, or about $2 per month. Matt Mitchell, a spokesperson for Austin Energy, said the increase is for what is called a...
Austin Energy says e-bike rebate program on track to double in size
As retailers brace for the holiday shopping season, 2023 is shaping up to be a good year for e-bikes in Austin. Austin Energy stopped by City Council’s Mobility Committee meeting last week for an update on its e-bike rebate program, which kicked into high gear this past January with a resolution doubling rebate values. Preliminary data shows a spike from 2,606 to 3,464 participants since the increase, though staff say the final figure will likely be much higher.
Downtown Commission explores ways to improve safety of autonomous vehicles on city streets
Despite the Cruise autonomous vehicle company’s recent decision to pause service in all cities, including Austin, members of the Downtown Commission have concerns about the growing presence of the vehicles and the city’s inability to regulate them. Staff from the Transportation and Public Works Department began a presentation to the commission last week by covering how a 2017 state law limits the abilities of cities to regulate AVs, leaving federal laws and state agencies to do that work.
Hiking in Austin? What to know about car break-ins before you go.
Mount Bonnell, Pennybacker Bridge and nearby greenbelts have grown in popularity for hikers, tourists and, more recently, car burglars. “I never thought I would be the next victim while enjoying that beautiful area,” said Tina Vargas, whose car was broken into in October while she was hiking with her friend near Pennybacker Bridge.
Confidently taking our next step forward
The Austin Monitor’s first big step forward came nearly two years ago when we removed our paywall and made our articles and resources free and fully accessible to the entire community. This was a big change for our small but mighty news organization and, frankly, it was risky. Ultimately,...
City splits homeless services into new, separate office
The city has created a dedicated office for homelessness services, in a move intended to let city staff address that area more quickly and decisively. Interim City Manager Jesús Garza informed City Council of the change in a memo released Tuesday. He signaled some of his plans for solving homelessness in June, when he assigned David Gray, formerly assistant director of the Economic Development Department, to focus specifically on homelessness and report to Assistant City Manager Stephanie Hayden-Howard. That assignment came less than two months before Gray was appointed interim homeless strategy officer following the resignation of Dianna Grey.
Cap Metro settles with city on East Austin real estate deal that paves the way for wastewater project
The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority is selling the city of Austin a piece of land in East Austin to pave the way for the Walnut Interceptor Odor and Corrosion Improvements capital project. At its meeting on Monday, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors approved the sale of a...
Candidates signing up for 2024 City Council races
Although City Council elections are nearly a year away, two incumbents and eight contenders have already indicated their intention to run by filing paperwork appointing campaign treasurers. Another has also told the Austin Monitor that he plans to run again. District 2 Council Member Vanessa Fuentes and District 6 Council...
Planning Commission wants more teeth in HOME proposal
After 12 hours of listening to citizens’ suggestions and complaints about the proposed changes to the Land Development Code, known as the HOME initiative, the Planning Commission last week came up with a number of technical recommendations for City Council to consider when adopting the new regulations. Council and the commission held a joint hearing on the proposal last month.
Disability committee eyes new community census to identify service needs
Local disability advocates appear ready to ask the city to conduct a census or general accounting of the number of local residents with disabilities who may require city services beyond those currently offered locally. Earlier this month, the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities discussed the need for data on...
Safe Routes to School Program charts course ahead as infrastructure plan turns 4 years old
With 425 projects at over 100 schools under its belt, Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department is moving forward with plans to improve pedestrian and bike routes to elementary and middle schools throughout the city. Safe Routes to School Program Manager Coleen Gentles stopped by City Council’s Mobility Committee...
‘Little Luckenbach’ could link Sam’s Town Point to $270M South Austin entertainment district
The owner of Sam’s Town Point hopes that a forthcoming mix of “rural retail” – including a farmers market and possible hemp cultivation along with live music offerings on the 10 acres surrounding the popular music venue – could link up to a planned entertainment district south of Slaughter Lane along Menchaca Road.
City releases new telework standards for its employees
Interim City Manager Jesús Garza has issued a telework policy for city employees. In a Friday memo, Garza explained that a new standards will, in general, allow for 50 percent telework within a two-week pay period. All executives will continue to work in the office during the work week, as will front-line operational staff like airport employees and public safety employees. On the other hand, employees who work in IT and call centers may be eligible to telework 80 percent to 100 percent of the time. The determinations will be made by department directors, though there is also an independent appeals process.
Austin ISD will post superintendent job instead of conducting a national search
The Austin Independent School District is scrapping previous plans for a nationwide search to find a permanent superintendent. The Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday to post the job starting Friday. School boards have the power to hire and fire superintendents, and Austin ISD Board President Arati Singh...
City Council moves toward enshrining remote work options
City Council recently approved a resolution that initiates amendments to the city’s Climate Equity Plan, Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan and the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan regarding remote work policies for city employees. The amendments – recommended by the Planning Commission and supported by the city employees’ union – would...
Will new science textbooks in Texas accurately depict climate change? Some worry they won’t.
The Texas State Board of Education is slated to vote today on which new science textbooks to approve for use in public schools. Some public education advocates are worried the Republican-controlled board will sign off only on materials that water down information about climate change. Emily Witt is the communications...
As Austin grows, real estate leaders look at state of city’s character, reputation
There were no explicit Old Austin versus New Austin clashes during a recent discussion among local development leaders about the state of the city’s character, but issues such as diversity and equity, opportunities for area youth and struggles to manage growth took center stage. Wednesday’s Urban Land Institute panel...
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