Photo courtesy City of Austin The 2011–12 Austin City Council (from left): Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole, Councilman Bill Spelman, Councilwoman Laura Morrison, Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Councilwoman Kathie Tovo, and Councilmen Chris Riley and Mike Martinez.
Consent Agenda highlights (items approved without discussion)
Posted (11:35 a.m.)
- City Council authorized Austin Energy to purchase 3.2 megawatts of solar energy for $13 million over 25 years.
- The city manager will convey to the Texas Department of Transportation that City Council does not support the elevated I-35 option in future interstate construction, and any further changes should go through an approval processes. The approved resolution cites much community support for the depressed option as reasoning.
- Council purchased more than 6,000 acres of land at 10140 San Antonio Road for $1.25 million.
- Approval was gained on construction of a sky bridge that would connect a parking garage on 15th Street near Red River Street to Seton Hospital. The bridge would be accessed by pedestrians only.
- Council repealed a section of the City Code that forbids persons from owning a bee colony that could pose a threat to human or animal health. Hives must now be kept at least 10 feet away from a property line.
Potential legalization of ridesharing takes another slow step forward
(Posted 7:15 p.m.)
City Council spent two hours discussing and amending an ordinance that would temporarily legalize companies like Uber and Lyft.
The ridesharing companies, also known as transportation network companies—or TNCs, connect drivers with passengers via smartphone apps. Existing city law prevents these groups from operating legally.
Councilman Chris Riley, one of the proposal's sponsors, began the discussion by requesting the measure be passed on an emergency basis. That prompted some council members to imply the request was related to ridesharing service Uber's partnership with Austin City Limits Festival so the service would be legal for festival goers at the upcoming event.
After much questioning and proposed amendments from Councilwomen Laura Morrison and Kathie Tovo, the bill passed only on second reading and not immediately as initially requested. Riley said more changes will be made to the ordinance before its final passage.
Vote: 6 "yes," 1 "no" with Councilwoman Morrison voting "no" (only on second reading)
'Deep-clean' rewrite process recommended for city land development code
The city of Austinm about one year into rewriting its land development code, is nearing a decision on what approach to take to accomplish the task.
Dan Parolek with Opticos, the consultation company tasked with diagnosing problems with the existing code, recommended a "deep-clean" approach instead of the "brisk sweep" or "complete makeover."
The recommended approach means the city's Planning and Development Review Department would go through the existing code to clear up confusing, unneeded or redundant language without starting from scratch. The proposed approach allows for a hybrid code with certain rules applying to certain areas—some of which enabling opt-in zoning options.
City Council is expected to vote on its recommended approach to the code rewrite at its Oct. 23 meeting.
Micro units proposal hearing postponed
City Council was expected to consider a measure that allows more micro-unit developments, but that vote has now been postponed until Oct. 16.
Micro units, or efficiency dwelling units, are apartments that are typically 300 to 350 square feet and can allow for more units in a building than typical apartment complexes can manage.
The proposed item includes incentives that potentially enable micro units from 220 to 400 square feet, require 0.6 parking spaces per unit and only be allowed on current or future transit corridors.
