Southwest Austin - Dripping Springs Edition | May 2024

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Southwest Austin Dripping Springs Edition VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2 MAY 25JUNE 27, 2024

Adding acres

Robin Hegemier regularly bikes and hikes at Reimers Ranch Park in the Hill Country, adjacent to land newly acquired for the Travis County Parks Foundation’s growing system.

KATY MCAFEECOMMUNITY IMPACT

Travis County purchases land to increase park access, expand trail system

acres west of South Austin to preserve green space and expand its park system; the two-pronged approach required a November bond and land dona- tions from two families. Ocials said the land would have been developed into hundreds of homes. “[This will] change the face of the outdoor space available for people to use,” said Joanna Wolaver, Travis County Parks Foundation executive director.

Robin Hegemier lived down the street from Reimers Ranch Park for years, unaware of its exis- tence, until the COVID-19 pandemic brought her out of her home and into nature. “[It was like], ‘Oh my gosh, this has been in our backyard all these years,’” Hegemier said. Years later, she still regularly visits the park, and the Travis County Parks Foundation is working to increase awareness and accessibility of its parks. In May, Travis County purchased thousands of

CONTINUED ON 24

Also in this issue

Impacts: New speakeasy now open in South Austin (Page 6)

Government: Fundraising underway for new library (Page 13)

Education: Proposed policy change sparks concern (Page 20)

Events: Pride, Juneteenth and more events (Page 27)

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Learn About Austin’s Water Quality We’re Continuously Sampling and Testing

Austin Water collects and tests samples at our treatment plants and across our water system multiple times a day, every day, for bacteria, and chemicals that could pose a risk to our customers. Our top priority is to ensure our water is safe and satisfying to drink. We have taken steps to protect drinking water safety and quality in key areas that include: 6 Protecting Vital Infrastructure 6 Enhancing Treatment Reliability 6 Ensuring Quality Control in Storage, Pressure and Pipes 6 Increasing Treated Drinking Water Testing An expanded snapshot of our rigorous quality controls is posted on our website as well as in our annual Drinking Water Quality Report. Find the 2023 Consumer Confidence Report online at the link below , or call 512-972-0155 to receive a copy by email or mail. Austin Water’s annual consumer confidence report describes the overall quality of water from its raw collection and storage to the treated purity at your tap. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that all drinking water suppliers provide a water quality report to their customers on an annual basis.

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Impacts

2 Daisy Lounge The speakeasy opened inside the same building as Keepers and Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar and its menu features specialty cocktails, wine, beer and a small snack menu. Co-owner Amir Hajimaleki said they wanted to bring a “downtown experience to the neighborhood.” • Opened May 10 • 5701 W. Slaughter Lane, Bldg. D, Austin • www.daisylounge.com 3 Nothing Bundt Cakes The bakery opened in Sunset Valley Marketfair shopping center in March. The bakery offers bundt cakes in a variety of flavors and sizes as well as party supplies, decor and gifts. • Opened March 28 • 5400 Brodie Lane, Ste. 220, Austin • www.nothingbundtcakes.com

360

MOPAC

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INDUSTRIAL BLVD.

Coming soon

MOPAC

183 4 Sally Beauty The beauty store will open in the Sunset Valley Marketfair shopping center, offering a variety of beauty products such as hair color and cosmetics. • Opening TBA • 5400 Brodie Lane, Ste. 260, Austin • www.sallybeauty.com 5 Blue Gardenia Boutique The boutique, owned by local resident Bethany Pendleton, will open in Parkside Village in Circle C Ranch. Blue Gardenia Boutique will sell women’s clothing,

LITTLE TEXAS LN.

PRESIDENTIAL BLVD.

973

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130

BURLESON RD.

ROSS RD.

accessories and gifts. • Opening in late May • 5701 W. Slaughter Lane, Ste. A-150, Austin • Instagram: blue_gardenia_boutique

South Austin

MAP NOT TO SCALE

Relocations

offers clothing for men, women and children. • Opened May 2 • 5601 Brodie Lane, Ste. 970, Austin • www.factory.jcrew.com

Now open

6 Radfish The food truck, owned local Joshua Mills, recently relocated near Pickle Pub and Drifters Social Coffee and Cocktails, from End of an Ear at 4304 Clawson Road, Austin. The menu features fish sandwiches, tacos,

1 J. Crew Factory The retailer is now open in Sunset Valley, replacing what was previously Beauty Store Salon and Spa. The store

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BY ELLE BENT & SARAH HERNANDEZ

hushpuppies and truffle fries. New offerings will include a Peruvian jalea—fried seafood topped with tomatoes, red onion and cilantro. • Relocated early May • 10630 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.radfishtx.com

Now open

Coming soon

In the news

7 Austin-Bergstrom International Airport The airport celebrated its 25th anniversary May 23 and is currently working to expand its services, which includes the closure of a security checkpoint through 2026. Changes to security screenings became effective May 8, and TSA PreCheck and Clear screening is only available at Checkpoint 2 West near United Airlines.

11 Padel Club Austin The club was founded by Andres Osorio and is Austin’s first Wilson Padel Club. The facility includes a nine-court outdoor complex for padel — a combination of tennis and racquetball. Padel Club Austin also has a food truck on-site and will soon have locker rooms with showers, a bar and a pro shop with padel apparel and accessories. • Opened April 20

14 Thinkery The children’s museum will bring a new neighborhood museum to the Del Valle ISD community. The 13,000-square-foot center will include 30 hands-on exhibits at the DVISD Central Child Development Center. The Thinkery has offered early educators in the district professional development and instructional coaching through the STEAM Learning Institute since August 2023. • Opening in August

• 3600 Presidential Blvd., Austin • www.austintexas.gov/airport

8 Music Meadows Southpark Meadows celebrated the reopening of Music Meadows, an outdoor live music and playground space. In addition to a refurbished playground, the area also has new furniture, turf, lighting, paint and a water tower marquee sign. • Reopened May 3 • Southpark Meadows, 9500 S. I-35, Austin • www.shopsouthparkmeadows.com 9 Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods The store celebrated 15 years at its Southpark Meadows location in February. The Texas-based, family-owned business opened in Houston in 1962 and first opened in Austin in 2007. In addition to alcohol, Spec’s Wine Spirits & Finer Foods sells cigars, gourmet foods and gifts. • 9900 S. I-35, Austin • www.specsonline.com 10 City Limits Nissan The dealership was previously South Austin Nissan and is the newest addition to the Idea Auto Group. The 9-acre dealership offers new and pre-owned vehicles as well as a service center staffed by certified technicians. • Opened May 1 • 4914 S. I-35, Austin • www.citylimitsnissan.com

• 511 Industrial Blvd., Austin • www.padelclubaustin.com

• 5301 Ross Road, Del Valle • www.thinkeryaustin.org

12 The Hive The coffee shop and bar is now completely open, and final hours are to be announced. Owner Shelly Weiser said the building is old, and the closure was due to

regarding the closure. • Closed April 9 • 5010 W. US Hwy. 290, Austin • www.applebees.com

permitting and plumbing issues. • 10542 Menchaca Road, Austin • www.hiveaustin.com

15 Trudy’s South Star Local restaurant chain Trudy’s Tex-Mex closed its South Austin location on May 6. Trudy’s announced the closure through a social media post. The restaurant’s North Austin location will remain open. • Closed May 6 • 901-C Little Texas Lane, Austin • www.trudys.com

Closings

13 Applebee’s Grill and Bar The restaurant closed its Southwest Austin location but other locations can be found off William Cannon Drive, in Round Rock and at the Lakeline Mall. Officials with Applebee’s did not return requests for comment

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Impacts

BY ELLE BENT

4 Monkee’s of Dripping Springs The boutique will offer clothing, accessories, shoes and gifts in the Windmill Center. • Opening in fall • 136 Drifting Wind Run, Ste. 121, Dripping Springs • www.instagram.com/monkeesofdrippingsprings

185

SPORTSPLEX DR.

290

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Dripping Springs

5 Stoic Jiu Jitsu The martial arts school owned by locals Marcus and Laci Douthitt relocated from 4955 Bell Springs Road, Dripping Springs to a larger space. • Relocated March 24 • 391 Sportsplex Drive, Dripping Springs • www.stoicjiujitsu.com

DRIFTING WIND RUN

MAP NOT TO SCALE

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• Opened March • 12400 W. Hwy. 290, Ste. 210, Dripping Springs • www.att.com

Now open

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1 Sluggo’s Cigar Lounge Husband and wife Dan and Andrea Justus opened a cigar lounge outside of One Shot Distillery and Brewery in a renovated Airstream trailer from 1976. • Opened April 18 • 31610 Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs • www.sluggoscigars.com 2 AT&T The store offers wireless plans, phones and other devices.

In the news

Coming soon

6 Crêpe Crazy Owned by couple Inna and Vladimir Giterman, Crêpe Crazy celebrated 10 years of business in May offering sweet and savory crepes. • 660 W. Hwy. 290, Bldg. B, Dripping Springs • www.crepecrazy.com

3 Firehouse Subs The fast-casual restaurant will offer customizable sandwiches in the new Ledgestone development. • Opening in summer • 12400 W. Hwy 290, Ste. 220, Dripping Springs • www.firehousesubs.com

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Government

BY BEN THOMPSON

As Austin office vacancies rise, residential reuse unlikely

One-fifth of Austin’s office space sat empty as of early 2024, leaving the market’s prospects uncertain with millions more square feet coming in the near future. The vacancies, shifting workforce trends and a large amount of new space arriving soon have led to some consideration to the potential for vacant offices to be used for other purposes, such as housing. Current situation Several commercial real estate firms found more than 20% of Austin offices to be vacant as of Q1 2024, a modern high for the city. Even so, more than 1 million square feet have been leased in 2024. And net absorption, or the amount of newly occupied space minus newly vacant space, is trending upwards after a negative 2023. Despite recent moves by companies such as Apple and Amazon, the bulk of leasing demand remains in the smaller 1,000- to 5,000-square-foot range—a trend that’s at odds with the amount of available space in new office high-rises and in the sublease market where larger footprints are common. Occupancy is slow in prime downtown space. Meta is still seeking to sublease hundreds of thousands of square feet it’s rented at Sixth and Guadalupe, while Google has yet to occupy the 601 W. Second St. “sailboat” tower. Looking ahead, 4 million more square feet of office space is coming over the next few years, including the “supertall” Waterline. After this wave of new development is complete, analysts said those significant additions likely mean no major projects will be added to Austin’s pipeline

Austin office market vacancy

The amount of vacant office space in Austin has risen since early 2020 given new working trends and the arrival of several new office builds.

Vacancy rates

23.8%

25%

19.7%

20%

20.6%

19.1%

15%

11.7%

10.9%

10.1%

9.7%

10%

11.5%

9.5%

9.3%

SOURCE: CBRE INC./COMMUNITY IMPACT

Auditors pointed to local barriers like the high costs of renovating aging buildings and the difficulties tied to the civic rezoning and permit- ting processes. They also said the projects would likely skew toward the luxury market rather than affordable or market-rate housing. Council member Mackenzie Kelly, who requested the audit analysis, said she’s still looking “at any and all ways” to add housing in Austin, including through possible office conversions in the future. Downtown’s historic Brown Building, com- pleted back in 2004, was Austin’s only modern office-to-residential conversion. Outside of hous- ing, recent reuse includes Magellan International School’s move into a former Northwest Austin office campus and The University of Austin’s lease at the Scarbrough Building downtown.

for a while. “Until we get larger users to have the confi- dence to come back into the market and take advantage of some of this vacancy or some of the sublease space, I think it will be hard for us to have a true market recovery,” said Carl Condon, an Austin-based principal with commercial real estate agency Avison Young. A closer look Given vacancy trends, city leaders asked to take a closer look at the concept of adaptive reuse, or the conversion of unused offices into residential or other uses. A new special city audit report found that conversion process may not be the best fit in Austin although there’s still some interest in seeing what might work out.

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Government

BY KATY MCAFEE

During his rst State of the County Address, Travis County Judge Andy Brown highlighted the county’s progress in tackling critical issues. Here are four takeaways: Mental health care prioritization Brown emphasized the county’s commitment to building a diversion center that provides mental health care to individuals who commit nonviolent crimes instead of sending them to jail. The county and several partners are kicking o that plan with a pilot program slated to launch this summer. Phase 1 of the program will focus on treating low-acuity patients using Integral Care’s facilities, and Phase 2, slated to launch this fall, will focus on treating patients with more severe mental health challenges. Opioid crisis response Brown’s speech addressed the county’s worsen- ing drug crisis, as a March report from Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services found that from 2020 to 2022, Travis County had twice as many opioid deaths than any other county in Texas. Brown pointed to the $860,000 the county allo- cated in August to provide Narcan kits, methadone treatment and peer support services for the next two years. The funding builds on the overdose prevention steps the county took in 2022, including declaring opioid deaths a public health crisis and distributing hundreds of Narcan kits to bars, vending machines and the pockets of law enforcement ocers. TravCo State of the County takeaways

Travis County Judge Andy Brown gave his debut State of the County address April 24.

COURTESY COLLEEN LIEDTKE

Gun safety Brown announced that the county will launch a hospital-based gun safety program this summer, as gun violence remains the No. 1 cause of nonac- cidental death in Travis County. The program will provide medical care and mentorship to victims of gun violence and prevent retaliation. San Antonio to Austin rail investment Brown concluded the evening with a commit- ment to advocate for a passenger rail connection from Austin to San Antonio, despite previous setbacks in securing funding for the project. Austin and San Antonio were both left out of an $8.2 billion package the Federal Railroad

"Travis County is stronger and more resilient, more equitable and more focused on delivering the promise and the potential of our community than ever before." ANDY BROWN, TRAVIS COUNTY JUDGE Administration announced in December to fund rail projects across the country. Brown and other local leaders have been lobbying to gain federal funding and cooperation from Union Pacic, which owns the tracks that could provide rail service between Austin and San Antonio.

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Government

BY ELLE BENT

Dripping Springs Community Library sta are asking residents to help raise $5 million by the end of the year to construct a new facility four times the size of the current library. The setup DSCL rst moved to its current facility in 1998, serving about 12,000 Dripping Springs and Hays County residents. Today, the library is serving over 52,000 residents, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. This growth makes the current space too small to shelve any new items without removing another. The new facility would be located adjacent to the existing property at the end of Benney Lane, a cul-de-sac o Mighty Tiger Trail. Some ame- nities will include meeting spaces, an outdoor Community raising money for library

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Current library

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The design of the new library reects community input.

RENDERING COURTESY DRIPPING SPRINGS COMMUNITY LIBRARY

amphitheater and a drive-thru book return. Funding the project In addition to applying a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, a fundraising campaign was launched in 2024. The campaign asks community members to donate money toward the facility and has a goal of $5 million by the end of the year in order to begin construction in 2025. Ocials are asking for community donations because the library is not funded by property taxes. As one of 15 library districts in Texas, the

DSCL receives 0.25% of sales tax revenue gener- ated within its district’s borders. This only pays for operating expenses of the library. What’s next With the help of a Library Giving Day fund- raiser April 3 that raised $338,896, the campaign total has climbed to $1 million. Interested residents can donate online or by mail to the Beyond Books campaign. Addi- tionally, a community member could sponsor a glass-blown buttery by Texas artist Carlyn Ray that will be displayed in the new library.

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Government

BY ELLE BENT, KATY MCAFEE & BEN THOMPSON

Court orders extend public testimony at Austin City Council Austinites now have more time to speak on regular agenda items at City Council meetings under court orders that have expanded public testimony. What happened Under the current council, those wishing to testify on the consent agenda were typ- ically given 2 minutes total. A lawsuit over that 2-minute limit was filed this spring by attorney Bill Bunch, Save Our Springs Alliance executive director. Two local judges have since agreed to require more public input, ordering council to offer three minutes per agenda item. That practice continues to be in effect. The issue will return to court in July, although council will adopt different rules in line with the legal decisions before then.

Council limits Austin’s role in state gender health care bans Austin City Council members voted to limit the local impacts of a statewide law that has banned gender-affirming health care for minors. What happened Council formally deprioritized Austin’s enforce- ment of any laws targeting transgender or nonbi- nary people seeking medical care, and individuals or health care groups providing such treatment, on May 2. It follows last year’s passage of Senate Bill 14, which prevents children from accessing transition-related treatment in Texas. The city resolution came from council member Chito Vela, who also drafted a 2022 measure to limit Austin’s enforcement of Texas abortion laws. “Generally speaking, I trust Texans to make their own medical decisions, whether they are deciding they want to terminate a pregnancy or whether they’re deciding what type of medical treatment their child that’s struggling with gender identity issues needs,” Vela said.

Curbing enforcement A City Council resolution approved in May keeps city resources from being used on investigations into trans and nonbinary people seeking medical care. It also calls to: Limit civic responses to any laws aimed at health care for trans and nonbinary individuals Enforce hate crime and anti-discrimination laws Withhold information for other jurisdictions’ gender care investigations

Establish a new program for trans or nonbinary people facing penalties for seeking care

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Police, medics respond to ‘deadly’ overdose wave across the city Dozens of people experienced an opiate-related overdose in Austin in late April due to a “deadly batch” of narcotics being dealt in the community. A total of 79 overdoses were recorded April 29-30, and were believed to lead to nine deaths caused by fentanyl. What happened Overdose calls began around 9 a.m. April 29 in downtown and eventually spread to North, South and East Austin. The overdoses occurred in individuals in their mid-20s to mid-50s and across all ethnicities, genders and socioeconomic statuses, officials said. Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services typically handles one or two overdose calls per day. The April 29 tally of 51 calls marked a 1,000% surge in overdose-related calls and Austin’s highest volume of overdoses since 2015. A closer look Vela said he doesn’t intend for the measure to overstep the city’s authority and land it in court, saying it was the “most defensible and effective step” Austin could take on the issue. “This is not an appropriate area for us to be using public safety dollars,” he said. He also said the measure isn’t meant to make Austin a “sanctuary city” for gender-related medical care; state agencies can still enforce the law and impose criminal penalties.

Know the signs Austin-Travis County health authority Desmar Walkes urged the community to recognize the signs of an overdose and be prepared to intervene. Signs include: • Small pupils • Confusion or loss of consciousness • Slow breathing • Cool and pale skin • Low response level to stimulus

Dripping Springs City Hall

290

Development Services Division

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Dripping Springs departments relocate Due to space constraints, Dripping Springs’ building and planning departments left city hall for a new building May 1. The overview Both departments are located in the former Pedernales Electric Cooperative building, now called the city’s Development Services Division, at 661 W. Hwy. 290. Building department officials handle building permits while planning and development officials oversee permits and manage growth and development.

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

The response Paramedics administered dozens of doses of Narcan, an overdose-reversal drug, to individ- uals experiencing an overdose and distributed hundreds of Narcan kits in neighborhoods with high call volumes, officials said. Austin Police Department Assistant Chief Eric Fitzgerald credited EMS and fire personnel, and several civilians who administered Narcan, with saving dozens of lives. Leaders also encouraged residents to carry Narcan and know the signs of an overdose.

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Election

BY ELLE BENT & KATY MCAFEE

Only 6.25% of Travis County’s 895,663 registered voters cast ballots for the May 4 election, according to data from the Travis County Clerk’s Office. This election saw a lower turnout than last May's 10.45% turnout. It included the Travis Central Appraisal District board of director race, disannexation propositions and more. Only 6.8% of Hays County’s 123,358 regis- tered voters cast ballots May 4, according to data from the Hays County Clerk’s Office. The ballot included a city council and mayoral race in Wimberley, school district elections for board seats at Dripping Springs ISD and Hays CISD, and a proposition from Hays County Emergency Services District 9. The Hays County election saw a lower turnout than last May’s 7.85% turnout. Election sees low voter turnout

Jett Hanna, Shenghao “Daniel” Wang and Dick Lavine won the election for three open seats on Travis Central Appraisal District’s board of directors in the district’s first-ever election May 4. The trio will begin their two-year terms in July. The remaining six board positions will be appointed by elected officials in December. The board is responsible for hiring the chief appraiser, approving the annual budget and contracts, and setting general policies. What they’re saying “Austin is a great place to live, and I just really grew to appreciate it even more with this cam- paign,” Hanna said. “And as far as the appraisal district is concerned, we just want to do things the right way. Make the appraisal fair, transparent and ethical in every respect.” 3 new TCAD board members elected

Results breakdown

Travis Central Appraisal District

Winner

Place 1

67.8% Jett Hanna 32.2% Don Zimmerman

Place 2

65.49% Shenghao “Daniel” Wang 8.27% Jonathan Patschke 26.23% Matt Mackowiak

Place 3

71.76% Dick Lavine 26.97% Bill May

SOURCE: TRAVIS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

“I’m looking forward to beginning the next job, which is, now that the campaign is over, learning more about the issues facing our community and helping all of our local governments continue to do the excellent work that they do,” Wang said.

DSISD board election results are in

Results breakdown

Dripping Springs ISD

Incumbent Winner

“I’m grateful for the vote of confidence in con- tinuing three more years of service,” Hetrick said. “I would like to congratulate [Reinold] and [DeLeon] and thank [Purdy] and [Adams] for their years of faithful service to DSISD.” Reinold and DeLeon were unavailable for com- ment as of press time. Elections for the DSISD board are held each May.

Voting totals from May 4 show Mary Jane Hetrick, Stefani Reinold and Shanda DeLeon won seats on the Dripping Springs ISD board of trustees. Hetrick received 22.5% of votes, Reinold received 20.86%, and DeLeon received 20.62%. Both Hetrick and Reinold are incumbents. Candidate Terri Purdy received 18.92% of votes, and candidate John Adams received 17.09% of votes.

Board of trustees

20.62% Shanda DeLeon 22.5% Mary Jane Hetrick 20.86% Stefani Reinold

17.08% John Adams 18.93% Terri Purdy

SOURCES: HAYS & TRAVIS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

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SOUTHWEST AUSTIN - DRIPPING SPRINGS EDITION

Government

BY BEN THOMPSON

Council OKs smaller minimum lot size

Development near transit

Also of note

The impact

Austin leaders will allow more housing to be built on smaller lots through a two-part plan. HOME initiative

Updates will encourage denser residential projects and walkable communities near Austin’s planned transit route.

Council also cleared the way for new zoning plans to encourage more residential development along the proposed Project Connect light rail. Austin’s equitable transit-oriented development, or ETOD, goals were shaped over several years. The new ETOD zoning will go into place within a half- mile of Project Connect’s first phase. The ETOD overlay will allow more residences and taller buildings, incentivize affordable housing and discourage the addition of spaces deemed not to be “transit-supportive” like auto shops and warehouses. Council edits may delay ETOD’s rollout and make its allowances more gradual near the rail route. Staff have said it would be key to pass tran- sit-forward land-use changes as Austin bids for federal funding to support Project Connect construction costs. The ETOD additions will likely be followed by further planning around Project Connect rail and bus routes.

The land-use items have been billed as affordability strategies, and as long-overdue revisions to Austin regulations that reverse inequitable trends. Supporters contend that smaller properties and smaller homes created under HOME rules will eventually sell for lower prices, while denser housing citywide will help address demand and reduce prices. The city code revisions received strong pushback from many individuals and community groups concerned about the city’s process and timeline, and the impacts of the changes on longtime residents— particularly in areas where residents are susceptible to displacement. Some also said the changes were designed to benefit developers, rather than residents.

Austin Light Rail (proposed)

Affected property ETOD area (0.5-mile from light rail)

HOME Phase 1 allowed up to three housing units on single- family properties.

Another change that reduces the influence of single-family homes on new construction, like apartment buildings, was approved alongside HOME Phase 2. The reach of Austin’s compatibility standards—rules governing building characteristics such as height within a certain distance of existing homes—was cut by more than 86%, moving Austin more in line with other cities with similar policies. Now, new construction more than 75 feet away from single-family housing won’t be limited by compatibility; the limits previously stretched up to 540 feet from homes. City staff found compatibility, created to ensure new development fit in established areas, has effectively blocked tens of thousands of potential housing units.

City Council approved a series of land-use reforms May 17, closing out weeks of public debate about proposals that some officials said are intended to create housing options that are more affordable. Council voted to cut the city’s minimum residential lot size by more than two-thirds through the second phase of the HOME, or Housing Options for Middle-Income Empowerment, plan. The change will reduce the amount of land needed to build a single house in Austin from 5,750 square feet down to 1,800 square feet as of Aug. 15. HOME Phase 2 passed with council members asking staff to look into how the new policy will impact lower-income residents in areas vulnerable to gentrification, a top concern of many residents. An “equity/antidisplacement overlay” could be added to the HOME regulations in the future.

HOME Phase 2 will reduce the amount of land needed to build one housing unit in Austin’s single-family areas.

290

SF-1: 10,000 square feet minimum SF-2 and -3: 5,750 square feet minimum

Lot size for one residential unit

MOPAC

183

New

SF-1, -2 and -3: 1,800 square feet minimum

SF-1, -2 AND -3 ARE AUSTIN'S MOST COMMON RESIDENTIAL ZONING AREAS.

SOURCE: CITY OF AUSTIN/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Education

BY ELLE BENT

Audit identifies seven improvements for SPED An audit by Houston-based firm Stetson and Associates identified areas of improvement for Austin ISD’s special education department. In a nutshell The audit highlights seven overall issues impact- ing the special education department and is a requirement for the district as part of an agreement with the Texas Education Agency, prompting AISD to allocate resources to improve the department. How we got here The agreement includes a state-appointed mon- itor over the department, a decision that followed TEA officials finding the district had a backlog of special education evaluations, meaning students were awaiting potential access to accommodations needed at school. “The audit findings align with critical work and

DSISD proposed policy sparks concern Dripping Springs ISD officials are consid- ering removing language referencing the LGBTQ community in district policies. What’s happening? The changes would remove terms “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” from polices prohibiting discrimination, but not any others like “race” or “age.” The board of trustees postponed voting April 22 after some community members expressed concerns the proposed changes would harm students and staff. In a state- ment, DSISD officials said there was never an intention to remove any protections. DSISD officials may keep the terms if they choose, and will likely decide during a board meeting May 20, after press time.

Audit findings

1 A national shortage of teachers and personnel 2 An unreliable data system used by AISD officials to monitor a student’s special education plan 3 A “lack of shared responsibility” across campuses “to meet the requirements for serving students with disabilities” 4 A lack of a direct line of communication between the AISD special education department and campuses 5 Services not catering to individual needs of students 6 A lack of a quality system providing professional development and training to staff 7 A need for more consistent involvement of parents in their child’s education

SOURCES: AUSTIN ISD, STETSON AND ASSOCIATES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

priorities for our district,” said Dru McGovern-Rob- inett, AISD assistant superintendent of special education programs. “The results reinforce the steps we’re taking to address systemic challenges as we work to improve special education services for over 12,000 students in Austin ISD.”

AISD to make $30 million in cuts to 2024-25 budget the predicted $60 million shortfall to $89 million. Officials are making an estimated $30 million in cuts, meaning the school year may start with a $59 million shortfall.

Potential budget cuts Contract reductions with third-parties: $14M Operational adjustments, such as technology

Austin ISD’s budget shortfall for fiscal year 2024-25 has increased from what officials predicted in April. The big picture District officials assumed an average daily attendance rate of 92% and a property value growth of 10%, but discovered in mid-April the rates are 87% and 5%, respectively. This brings

efficiencies: $10.24M Cuts in central office positions: $3.66M

Total $30.68M

More budget cuts are in discussion, including staff reductions. 41 central office positions—many of which were vacant— have been cut. The AISD board of trustees will approve the FY 2024-25 budget June 20.

Overtime control: $2.35M Contract eliminations with third-parties: $434K

SOURCE: AUSTIN ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY KATY MCAFEE

relocation of ramps and the addition of two HOV managed lanes in each direction between Ben White Boulevard and SH 45. Update: Crews are reconstructing the Onion Creek bridge and building beams for the elevated lanes. • Timeline: November 2022-28 • Cost: $548 million • Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation 4 William Cannon Drive improvements Project: The project involves adding new travel and shared-use path lanes, updating traffic signals and making drainage improvements on William Cannon Drive from Running Water Drive to McKinney Falls Parkway. Update: Crews are adding new traffic signals at Running Water Drive and Janes Ranch Road, making drainage improvements, and building shared-use paths and a new bridge over Marble Creek.

CIRCLE DR.

290

OLD FREDERICKSBURG RD.

MOPAC

1826

JANES RANCH RD.

BLUFF SPRINGS RD.

• Timeline: 2023-26 • Cost: $21.37 million

RUNNING WATER DR.

• Funding source: 2016 mobility bond 5 Oak Hill Parkway Project

1626

Project: Crews will add 27 bridges, construct 14 miles of shared-use paths and widen Hwy. 290 up to 12 lanes from Circle Drive to MoPac. Update: In April, crews opened the eastbound Hwy. 290 frontage road and mainlanes from William Cannon Drive to Old Fredericksburg Road. Crews are making utility relocations along Hwy. 71 and constructing frontage roads, shared-use paths and a bridge wall.

• Timeline: 2021-26 • Cost: $674 million • Funding source: TxDOT

Upcoming projects

Ongoing projects

1 South First Street and Stassney Lane safety project Project: Crews will add new protected bike lanes, crosswalks, sidewalks and Americans with Disabilities Act curb ramps; extend and widen medians; and improve access for drivers turning in and out of driveways. The project will also increase transit options with an added bus stop for southbound routes on Stassney Lane. • Timeline: May-December • Cost: $1.4 million • Funding sources: 2018 bond, intersection safety and bikeway programs

2 South Congress Avenue and Stassney Lane safety project Project: Crews are adding new left-turn lanes, bike and pedestrian lanes, signal upgrades and six new bus stops. Update: Lane closures began along South Congress Avenue in mid-April as crews build a concrete median. • Timeline: April 2023-summer 2024 • Cost: $4.9 million • Funding sources: city of Austin Mobility Bond and Capital Metro 3 I-35 Capital Express South project Project: This involves the reconstruction of bridges,

Completed projects

6 Bluff Springs Road Project: The project added new traffic signals, protected bikeway connections, pedestrian crossings, transit stops and intersection safety improvements on Bluff Springs Road from William Cannon Drive to the Austin city limits. Update: The construction improved access to nearby schools, bus stops, parks and stores. • Timeline: September 2023-March 2024 • Cost: $2.5 million • Funding sources: 2018 and 2022 mobility bonds

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