AUSTIN News Thread

[Digatisdi]

Originally Posted by Hill Country

This is probably better suited for the Off Topic thread, but it happened on the Twitter account TWC News. When traffic updates go bad:

http://tvradio.blog.austin360.com/20...-news-account/

I can't tell if this is better or worse than the US Airways incident earlier this year.

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Digatisdi

I can't tell if this is better or worse than the US Airways incident earlier this year.

I can just picture Mommy checking for traffic updates before she takes the kids to school.

[jngreenlee]

Originally Posted by jngreenlee

Vote was postponed today till Oct 16th due to some council members thinking the proposal was not ready. Lot of suspense leading up to that.

I'm not sure if I've been confused about this Granny Flats (ADU) issue. It's back on the agenda for today's meeting, but now I notice the following:

Permitted in the following zoning districts: MF-1, MF-2, MF-3, MF-4, MF-5; MU combining district

I am not sure if it was always this way. Granny Flats would have the most impact for SF-3 home owners, not MF. There is apparently a separate community meeting on Oct. 20th specific to broader use of ADUs:
http://www.austintexas.gov/event/acc...public-meeting

Here's a news story that doesn't make any distinction:
http://austin.twcnews.com/content/ne...-granny-flats/

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by jngreenlee

I'm not sure if I've been confused about this Granny Flats (ADU) issue. It's back on the agenda for today's meeting, but now I notice the following:


I am not sure if it was always this way. Granny Flats would have the most impact for SF-3 home owners, not MF. There is apparently a separate community meeting on Oct. 20th specific to broader use of ADUs:
http://www.austintexas.gov/event/acc...public-meeting

Here's a news story that doesn't make any distinction:
http://austin.twcnews.com/content/ne...-granny-flats/

Your first link is broken (seems to be a cache). But that's gotta be a typo, right? You don't have ADU in MF housing.

[jngreenlee]

Originally Posted by Novacek

Your first link is broken (seems to be a cache). But that's gotta be a typo, right? You don't have ADU in MF housing.

Might have to use this one, then open the top pdf listed, called "Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance - RCA":
http://austin.siretechnologies.com/s...a&itemid=37238

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by jngreenlee

Might have to use this one, then open the top pdf listed, called "Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance - RCA":
http://austin.siretechnologies.com/s...a&itemid=37238

Okay, this isn't the accessory dwelling unit (ADU).

This is the micro-apartment issue (super small apartments, lowered parking requirements).

Both intended to help affordability, but different.

[paul78701]

It's been a few weeks since I've been over there, but it sounds like they've finally started on the sidewalks on Rainey:
http://austin.twcnews.com/content/ne...borhoods-wait/

[jngreenlee]

From today's City Council Meeting: Item 29

SPONSOR: Council Member Laura Morrison CO 1: Council Member Mike Martinez CO 2: Council Member Kathie Tovo

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN:
The City Council initiates amendments to Chapter 8-1 and Chapter 9-2 of
the City Code to require that outdoor amplified sound permits for large scale music
events on city parkland be permitted under City Code Chapter 9-2 (Noise and

This resolution proposes amendments to code that would move management of sound and associated permits and plans for large scale outdoor music events from the Parks Department to the Music Office [MO].

I'm not sure if the MO is more restrictive, but anything with Morrison/Tovo on it automatically makes me suspicious.

[paul78701]

Dog & Duck Pub Moving at End of Month:
http://austin.twcnews.com/content/ne...-end-of-month/

This might signal that a new development is coming to this lot?

[jngreenlee]

Originally Posted by paul78701

Dog & Duck Pub Moving at End of Month:
http://austin.twcnews.com/content/ne...-end-of-month/

This might signal that a new development is coming to this lot?

That's emotional, I liked that place. Eeyore's birthday planning meetings were held there sometimes.

[KevinFromTexas]

Originally Posted by paul78701

Dog & Duck Pub Moving at End of Month:
http://austin.twcnews.com/content/ne...-end-of-month/

This might signal that a new development is coming to this lot?

Interesting. There is actually a demolition permit filing for that address:

https://www.austintexas.gov/devrevie...erRSN=11156765

[paul78701]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

Interesting. There is actually a demolition permit filing for that address:

https://www.austintexas.gov/devrevie...erRSN=11156765

ABJ article says that the Chronicle says that the lot will be redeveloped:
http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bl...se-oct-31.html

Looks like the pub may move to East 7th.

[hookem]

Originally Posted by paul78701

Dog & Duck Pub Moving at End of Month:
http://austin.twcnews.com/content/ne...-end-of-month/

This might signal that a new development is coming to this lot?

Ack! Gotta get over there before they close.

That is where I met my wife. Also, many friends who I still have to this day -- I met at the D&D in the 1990s. I can honestly say my life would be completely different if not for that place.

I suspect there is a lot of history there. I hadn't heard of the Eeyores planning sessions, but I'm sure there is much more like that. I do know that place spawned some other well known places, like Opal Devine's.

[jngreenlee]

Originally Posted by jngreenlee

From today's City Council Meeting: Item 29

This resolution proposes amendments to code that would move management of sound and associated permits and plans for large scale outdoor music events from the Parks Department to the Music Office.

City Action: APPROVED ON CONSENT

[The ATX]

It looks like a Moto X event may be downtown during next year's X-Games based on the permit. The freestyle event was cancelled this year at COTA due to high winds.

https://www.austintexas.gov/devrevie...erRSN=11241428

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/bl....html?page=all

Austin apartment market still on fire; could mean rent relief on its way
Oct 28, 2014, 2:20pm CDT

Jan Buchholz
Staff Writer-
Austin Business Journal

The data behind Austin's red hot apartment market could spell relief for some renters. Almost 18,000 units are now under construction in the metro area and some of the new complexes are concentrated in smaller submarkets.

With 17,639 units in the pipeline — making Austin one of the most aggressive apartment markets in the nation — concern is rising about the viability of an estimated 8,000 units that are scheduled to break ground in the next 180 days.

94.8 percent occupancy, compared to 95.8 percent for the same period a year ago

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news....257351.735563

Austin declares two-year ban on new street events in “city’s core”
Posted: 5:33 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014

By Ben Wear - American-Statesman Staff

With Central Austin pocked by building construction, utility projects and street work, city officials have decided that 100 or so annual outdoor festivities — and the clogging street closures that accompany them — will be quite enough. At least for a couple of years.

Austin Transportation Department director Robert Spillar and Special Event Manager William Manno, in a memo Tuesday to City Manager Marc Ott, declared a two-year moratorium on granting permits for additional street events in the “downtown” area. The ban on new events, effective immediately, would apply in a zone roughly defined by MoPac Boulevard on the west, Enfield Road and MLK Jr. Boulevard on the north, Chicon Street and Interstate 35 on the east, and Oltorf Street and Barton Skyway on the south.

[austlar1]

Originally Posted by KevinFromTexas

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news....257351.735563

Very good news, IMHO.

[KevinFromTexas]

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/276...r-ut-president

Report claims Condoleezza Rice a "frontrunner" for UT President

Posted: Dec 12, 2014 9:40 PM CST
Updated: Dec 12, 2014 9:46 PM CST

A report published Friday by the New York Post claims former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is the frontrunner to be the next President of the University of Texas.

Since leaving public service, Rice has been teaching as a professor of political science at Stanford University. Rice also serves on the College FootballPlayoff Committee.

[Tech House]

Condi Rice, is on the college football playoff committee?!? I don't know if it's irony or just epic comedy that someone so competent, educated, and intelligent, would be involved at the highest levels of decision making in both Operation Enduring Freedom (war in Iraq pt II) and Operation Eternal Clusterfuck (NCAA football.) I'd say that the UT prez gig would be a nice change of pace for her, but then I remember why that job opening exists in the first place and.... well, Condi is obviously the right choice.