Senate Bill Threatens Local Water Quality Standards

Armbrister attacks Austin's control over the aquifer ... again

"...protect its municipal ordinance, including the notable failure in House Bill 1704. It's as regular as the tides...."

May 6, 2005 News Feature by Kimberly Reeves

House Hunting

Underdog Stella Roland challenges incumbent Dawnna Dukes to represent East Austin in the Texas House of Representatives.

"...represented for the past five years in the Texas House of Representatives, to become one of the year's more..."

Feb. 18, 2000 News Feature by Erica C. Barnett

The 1704 Sword

Forum Fallout?

"...stroke at the Capitol. (In her statement before the House, Austin Rep. Sherri Greenberg more than once cited the..."

April 23, 1999 News Column by Jenny Staff

The Whole Truce

Gary Bradley ponders the significance of his proposed settlement agreement with the city of Austin.

"...the city's original deal with Bradley. The water district bill was declared unconstitutional in 1997 by District Court Judge..."

Feb. 25, 2000 News Feature by Robert Bryce

Why Austin Gets Screwed

"...The Southeast Texas rep is well-known for his anti-Austin bills -- from a bill that would have required cities..."

Dec. 29, 2000 News Feature by Louis Dubose

Naked City

S.O.S vows to fight Stratus deal on Edwards Aquifer land, TARAL supports pro-choice candidates and raises money.

"...According to SOS director Bill Bunch, the agreement the city is considering -- that..."

Oct. 6, 2000 News Feature by Louis Dubose

The Art of the Deal

City Coucil wants to cut a deal with Stratus Properties on the Barton Creek properties because they think House Bill 1704 gives them no other option.

"...Kirk Watson says the city has little choice under House Bill 1704, a pro-development law that the Texas Legislature..."

Oct. 13, 2000 News Feature by Amy Smith

An S-O-S for SOS

What will the Stratus deal mean for the Springs?

"...worse alternatives. Yet opponents, such as SOS Alliance leader Bill Bunch, see this strategy of rearranging and recalculating impervious..."

Aug. 9, 2002 News Feature by Amy Smith

Point Austin: The Way We Were

In Austin's politics of nostalgia, the truth is a frequent casualty

"...couldn't have been worked out before the Legislature enacted House Bill 1704 (vetoed by Ann Richards in 1993, signed..."

May 2, 2008 News Column by Michael King

Stratus Flows Downhill

A description of the Stratus Properties / City of Austin development negotiations, and the historical precedents (Freeport-McMoRan)

"...Brown to savage the city with a flurry of bills in the Legislature. During the 1999 session, Stratus employed..."

Dec. 1, 2000 News Feature by Robert Bryce

Imminent Harm

The city plays a high-stakes, high-risk game with Stratus Properties, while the citizens look on

"...-- have a successful track record of promoting Austin-bashing bills at the Legislature. In this instance, Stratus' tailor-made House..."

July 19, 2002 News Feature by Amy Smith

Council Watch

sos board votes no on the proposed bradley settlement

"...in a legal challenge to the grandfathering legislation of House Bill 1704, the best Austin can do to protect..."

March 3, 2000 News Column by Jenny Staff Johnson

FWS Approves Stratus-pheric Development

"...year ago and tried to strike a deal on House Bill 1704 in the 1999 Legislature. HB 1704, which..."

Nov. 2, 2001 News Feature by Amy Smith

Mueller: The Art of the Deal

Will the City Give Away Mueller Airport to Save Barton Springs?

"...can build under older, less restrictive rules, thanks to House Bill 1704, the 1999 law that limits the city..."

Dec. 1, 2000 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Terms Sheet Terminology

The proposed agreement between Gary Bradley and the city of Austin

"...House Bill 1704: The agreement will secure improved water quality..."

Nov. 26, 1999 News Column by Jenny Staff Johnson

Who's Your Grandpa?

Critics say older case gives ammo against AMD, but city staff say they are apples and oranges

"...project is "grandfathered" under state law (originally enacted as House Bill 1704, now known as Chapter 245 in the..."

Dec. 16, 2005 News Feature by Amy Smith

Naked City

This week at council: The city's proposed agreement with Stratus comes up for discussion; the Pedestrian Plan awaits approval; and Vignette's downtown deal is up for a vote.

"...Old-school environmentalists like Save Our Springs Alliance executive director Bill Bunch are grimly comparing the proposed deal with Stratus..."

Dec. 1, 2000 News Feature by Emily Pyle

Naked City

After environmentalists object, the council postpones a hearing to decide whether to trade land at Mueller Airport with Stratus Properties.

"...The delay was requested by SOS Alliance Executive Director Bill Bunch, who wrote Mayor Kirk Watson and the members..."

Nov. 3, 2000 News Feature by Robert Bryce

Covering New Ground

Robin Rather talks about Austin's future, and her own, after stepping down as chair of the Save Our Springs Alliance.

"...Austin) at the Legislature in 1999 trying to stop House Bill 1704 -- the grandfathering law that allows Bradley..."

May 12, 2000 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Council Watch

Details of the Bradley Settlement are finally made public and opened up to debate; Bill Spelman announces that he will not run for re-election to Place 5.

"...even if we won, we would still have the (House Bill) 1704 problem." The city could keep tilting at..."

Feb. 18, 2000 News Column by Jenny Staff Johnson

Naked City

The City Council adopts a legislative agenda focused on protecting the city’s right to govern itself.

"...city insiders, recalling the passage of the repealed pro-developer House Bill 1704 two years ago, say they aren't expecting..."

Feb. 2, 2001 News Feature by Emily Pyle

What's the Deal?

The Details in the City's Proposed Settlement With Stratus Properties Are the Fine Print in the Term Sheet.

"...would be developed in compliance with the SOS ordinance. House Bill 1704 allows developers to return to ordinances in..."

Dec. 1, 2000 News Feature

Naked City

The City Council prepares to debate a new settlement with Stratus Properties in a series of public hearings.

"...it wants under earlier regulations, thanks to last session's House Bill 1704, which allows landowners to build under the..."

Nov. 24, 2000 News Feature

Making a List

Examining the prospects for Austin's lobby at the 77th Legislature

"...his hat handed to him. The Stratus Properties-driven Senate Bill 1704 rose from the dead with a vengeance as..."

Dec. 29, 2000 News Feature by Amy Smith

Breaking the Code

Plain English Is the Goal for Land Development Rules

"...subdivision rules, and the impact upon them of Senate Bill 1704. This anti-Austin act by the Texas Legislature requires..."

May 15, 1998 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Naked City

Headlines and happenings from Austin and beyond

"...• The tax "reform" bill (HB 3) passed last week by the Texas House..."

March 25, 2005 News Feature by Lee Nichols

Naked City

"...the draconian anti-immigrant legislation recently passed by the U.S. House. Speakers vowed to fight the legislation and build a..."

April 14, 2006 News Feature

The Battle for Barton Springs: A Brief Timeline

Twenty years of progress

"...1987: The Texas Legislature enacts House Bill 4, barring a city from altering water quality..."

Aug. 3, 2012 News Feature by Michael King

S.o.s. 101

"...all the ruckus is about over the recent Texas House of Representatives' vote to revive the dreaded SB 1704..."

April 30, 1999 News Column by Jenny Staff

Postmarks

Barrientos Misrepresented

"...Your recent article on the House actions relative to H.B. 1704 ["Council Watch," Vol. 18,..."

May 7, 1999 Column

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