� When last we left the City Council, it was wrestling over a measure to eliminate a set of annexation incentives in the Drinking Water Protection Zone on the outskirts of the city limits. The impervious cover restrictions are back on the agenda today. Specifically, the new ordinance would decrease the amount of impervious cover allowed on such developments from 40%, and sometimes 60%, to the same limits imposed in other protected watersheds, around 20%. The council delayed action on August 5 after land owners claimed they were caught off guard by the proposal, which would only affect site plans filed after the ordinance is adopted. Neighborhood and environmental activists, who plan to voice their support for the stricter limits, are hoping to outnumber the developers and Real Estate Council of Austin representatives who dominated the last hearing.
� Also on deck is the first of two public hearings on the proposed supply purchase agreement between the City of Austin and the Lower Colorado River Authority, under which Austin would pay the LCRA $100 million — $25 million of it up-front — for 50 years’ worth of water. The deal has raised some eyebrows — most notably those belonging to members of the Save Our Springs Alliance, who say that this was put together with too little public input and that it will spur growth in environmentally sensitive areas.
� The council will also hold a public hearing to reauthorize the city’s juvenile curfew ordinance, which must be reviewed every year. The ordinance, which is not expected to face significant opposition, makes it a class C misdemeanor for anyone under 17 to be out and about between 11:30pm and 6am on weeknights, midnight to 6am on weekends, or 9am to 2:30pm on school days. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $500.
This article appears in August 20 • 1999 and August 20 • 1999 (Cover).