Government
Transportation
BY BEN THOMPSON
BY ELLE BENT
Austin moves to allow 3 homes on single-family properties
AISD superintendent lone finalist named After more than a year without a perma- nent superintendent, the Austin ISD board of trustees named interim superintendent Matias Segura as the lone finalist on Dec. 14. The gist In a closed door meeting Dec. 7, trustees reviewed six applications and ultimately selected Segura as the top candidate. "[Segura] is Austin ISD's first homegrown superintendent. He's a product of Austin ISD, the son of a beloved Austin ISD teacher and a proud parent of two Austin ISD students. [Segura] is a shining example that anything is possible for Austin ISD students," board member Kathryn Whitley Chu said Dec. 14. The board plans to vote on Segura's contract on Jan. 25, following community feedback events.
Austin ISD begins work to expand internet access Austin ISD is making progress on a program to increase internet access around several of the dis- trict’s campuses. Construction is expected to begin as soon as winter break, Dec. 25-Jan. 5 and will take about three weeks to complete at each campus. The program—called Project Lighthouse—will bring monopoles, or towers that provide wireless services, to campuses in order to provide better connectivity to students as well as the surround- ing community. The backstory The district estimates that about 30% of students don’t have access to reliable internet at home, which can negatively impact academic performance and families’ communication with school, district officials said.
The following campuses will be the first to receive the monopoles:
Akins Early College High School Austin High School Liberal Arts and Science Academy
Officials moved to: • Adjust the allowed size of some housing units under HOME, and their distances from neigh- bors and property lines; • Encourage the preservation and planting of trees on residential lots; • Include preservation and sustainability bonuses to encourage retaining older structures; • Require regular, detailed reporting on HOME’s impacts in Austin What’s next While HOME will be in effect by late December, new development under the policy won’t be allowed until February to give city staff time to prepare for the updates. HOME’s second phase—cutting minimum lot sizes for residential construction, potentially by more than half—is set to be considered in the spring.
The first phase of a plan Austin officials hope will help tackle the city’s housing affordability crisis was approved by council on Dec. 7. Their 9-2 approval of Phase 1 of the “HOME” policy capped months of often-contentious debate over a plan allowing up to three homes on single-family properties. Additionally, City Council voted for an increase in the number of people who can live together. Supporters said they hope the update will allow smaller and more affordable homes to address the need for middle-income housing. Along with concerns about fueling gentrification and displacement, opponents said the plan was rushed, ill-conceived and may strain the city’s infrastructure and resources. The details Council passed HOME Phase 1 with several of their and the Planning Commission’s amendments.
Tracking the proposal Council members supporting HOME say the two-part plan will promote more middle- income housing by reducing development barriers and potentially allowing less expensive homes to be built.
Blanton Elementary School Blazier Elementary School Cook Elementary School Graham Elementary School Perez Elementary School Jordan Elementary School
Phase 1: Allow up to three housing units on single-family properties Status: Passed
SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Communications, a telecommunications company, which will construct the monopoles. The construction and maintenance of the mono- poles will come at no cost to the district. Instead, AISD will receive monthly rental income for any space leased to a mobile carrier which will be used to fund other projects that offer students network access, district officials said.
Phase 2: Reduce minimum lot sizes for residential construction by more than half Status: Under consideration in the spring
In November 2021, the board of trust- ees approved a partnership with Branch
SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT
HIGHLAND 5775 Airport Blvd (512) 366-8300 ARBORETUM 10515 North Mopac Expressway (512) 342-6893
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