Moratorium extended for pedicab permits

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Austin City Council voted Thursday to extend the moratorium for new pedicabs to April 23.

The moratorium was to expire Oct. 23.

The move follows the council's decision in the spring to impose new regulations on the pedal-powered taxis throughout the downtown area.

Under the new rules, brake lights are required on all the pedicabs. Drivers also have to display their company phone number and permit on the backside of each cart.

The last time the ordinance was updated was in 1992, when the city had only about a dozen or so pedal-driven cabs in operation. There are about 300 now, said Steve Grassfield of the city's Department of Transportation.

In other City Council items, the Council decided to listened to members of the Mexican-American community regarding a parcel of land next to the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center and will not proceed with a sale or development.

Council is asking the City Manager to develop a range of options for use of this parcel of land by the Parks and Recreation Department for specific development that would address the needs of the adjacent Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center and incorporate this parcel of land into the ESBMACC master plan.

Council also moved forward with the first hearing regarding the full purpose annexation of the Circuit of the Americas annexation area. The area is nearly 1,600 acres in Travis County near Pearce Lane and Ross Road. The Council will make the final decision at the next city council meeting.