With holidays and the new year just around the corner, here are five things to know this week if you live in Northwest Austin.
1. Austin Oaks PUD moves forward at Austin City Council
The Grove at Shoal Creek PUD took center stage at City Council for most of the evening last Thursday, but council members also took the first step toward a vote on Austin Oaks, the 865,000-square-foot planned unit development proposed near Spicewood Springs Road and MoPac that has sparked opposition from some residents in the surrounding area.
Council action on The Grove last Thursday delayed discussion and public comment on the Austin Oaks proposal. Council members took comments on Austin Oaks until 1:30 a.m. Friday before voting to pass the proposal on first reading, paving the way for a second reading Feb. 2.
2. New representation coming to Austin's District 10
Alison Alter unseated incumbent Sheri Gallo in a runoff election Dec. 13 for the District 10 position on Austin City Council. Gallo is the second council member to lose her seat this year, following Jimmy Flannigan's defeat of Don Zimmerman in District 6 in November.
3. Students ready for vacation, but school districts still busy
Students at the three ISDs in Northwest Austin are either enjoying their first days of winter vacation or are about to do so. However, end-of-the-year school district business is still wrapping up.
Gary Patterson[/caption]
Pflugerville ISD trustees named Gary Patterson as interim superintendent during a meeting Dec. 15. Patterson’s appointment comes after trustees placed the district's previous superintendent, Alex Torrez, on paid administrative leave after Torrez earlier announced he would step down from the position.
The Round Rock ISD board welcomed a new member, elected new leadership and approved the district's priorities for the upcoming 85th Texas Legislature during its Dec. 15 meeting.
Austin ISD trustees meet Monday for their final meeting of 2016 at 7 p.m. in Carruth Administration Center, 1111 W. Sixth St., Austin. A meeting agenda is available here.
4. Projections show Austin will continue to grow
Austin's population is projected to reach 943,555 by 2020, according to a report last week from the Office of the City Auditor. The report, which broke down statistics among Austin's 10 geographic single-member City Council districts, held a variety of data, including numbers on how Austinites spend and make money as well as the city's average household size.
Here is a breakdown of findings specific to Northwest Austin, which includes City Council districts 4, 6, 7 and 10.
5. 'Tis the season for busy travel
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport officials expect the busiest travel days this holiday season will be Dec. 20-23, Dec. 27-30 and Jan. 2-4. They recommend that travelers arrive at the airport terminal at least two hours before their flight is scheduled to depart.