Developers, neighborhood leaders and all interested parties will be able to track project approvals at every stage of the process.
The City of Austin is bringing its development review process to the Web.
"The $3.2 million online system...is intended to smooth the review process for development projects and give the public early access to those projects."
"People will be able to track the work of six city departments involved in the review and monitor the approval process at each step, making it all more transparent and accessible. So a resident would be able to get details on that project planned for her street, see what the inspector had to say about the new addition to her house or read city staff members' comments on the new high-profile condo building downtown."
"For developers, one major change is that inspectors will have tablet computers with wireless access so inspection results will be available immediately online. Also, as each step is completed, the person responsible for the next one will be automatically notified."
FULL STORY: Get an early peek at upcoming development in Austin

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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