Austin Metric

Here's a map of the areas covered in the Tovo ordinance's pilot year.

The Spelman version is focused on 'repeat offenders' anywhere they might be in the city.  Perhaps the majority of existing violations are included in the Tovo target areas.  But if that is the case, then Tovo's targeting …

Chris Bradford made an important point in the comments of my earlier post on rental registration.  Both the Tovo and Spelman ordinances require the filing of a form to permit leasing of vacant units.  Because a registration may be revoked or suspended, it elevates the ordinances to rental permitting policies …

Austin’s City Council will be voting on adoption of a rental registration regime this week. Two reports by of the University of Texas Law School Community Development Clinic are the key documents driving the policy case in favor of rental registration. So, are the Clinic’s arguments compelling?

First …

Kyle Keahey is a seasoned transit consultant charged with moving the urban rail process along.  Austinites for Urban Rail Action - a group I support - is hosting a chat with Mr. Keahey this Thursday.  I am sure attendees will ask questions during his remarks and informally afterwards on several topics related …

Austin’s policy deliberations often feature counterproductive uses of data. This practice - which I refer to as “data theatre” - aims to establish a veneer of credibility and objectivity for its purveyors by wrapping policy recommendations around charts, calculations, and allusions to best practices.  But in reality, it’s just an …