Council Preview: Pilot Knob Returns

With a short work session Tuesday (March 1), and a relatively slim agenda of 44 items today, Thursday, March 3, Council looks to be having a lighter than usual week. The most contentious issue Tuesday was the latest round in the continuing debate about the Pilot Knob planned unit development. Council Member Ellen Troxclair's resolution, which had been postponed and comes before the dais today (Item 18), would amend the deal made in December which allowed funding for affordable housing in the PUD by redirecting Austin Water capital recovery fees. Troxclair, along with co-sponsoring CMs Ora Houston and Don Zimmerman, argues that the scheme burdens Austinites with higher bills, while potentially benefiting out-of-towners who could be the people moving into Pilot Knob. (For background, see "Who's in the Pilot House?" Feb. 9.)

In addition to Troxclair's resolution, Council will be able to discuss/debate Pilot Knob during executive session. Item 40 deals with a lawsuit filed against the city by Brian Rodgers, who alleges that Council violated the open meetings act when it voted on the PUD. Rodgers is willing to settle if Council agrees to rescind its action.

Other items on the agenda include the mayor's resolution to protect the city's "music and creative ecosystem" (Item 19; for more on that, see "Playback," Mar. 4), CM Delia Garza's resolution to improve food access in the city's food deserts (Item 20), and second and third readings of the proposed amendments to the small lot amnesty ordinance (Item 36; see "Public Notice: Amnesty Now!" Feb. 12). And Jon Dee Graham provides the live music at 5:30pm.