New developments in Round Rock may have fewer parking spaces, with an amended city ordinance removing minimums for most nonresidential projects.

In a nutshell: The proposal to adjust parking requirements comes as the city is reevaluating whether the existing policy is "appropriate for current development patterns and land use goals." Round Rock Planning and Development Services Director Brad Dushkin said the city has had parking minimums for decades, and city staff spent about a year preparing the proposal to amend the ordinance.

City officials approved the measure in a May 14 meeting.

What they're saying: Dushkin said the amendment would leave parking volume up to the free market, in a time when consumers are driving less, using rideshares more and generally spending less time in parking lots. Parking is also expensive to build, he said, and requirements have an "outsized" influence on site selection or the feasibility of locating a business in the city.

A Round Rock commission will consider its recommendation to City Council to include historic properties in a partial property tax exemption May 19.

What you need to know: The city's historic commission will vote on which properties meet the maintenance criteria specified by city ordinance to qualify for a partial exemption to city property taxes for historically significant sites, according to the city. Applicants to this program who may not meet these criteria will receive notification and an invitation to address the commission, a city announcement states.

Check out some of the top trending stories from the Austin area May 11-14. 

1. Jewel of Texas opens in Pflugerville

2. Construction underway on site of future Georgetown Texas Roadhouse

3. Frank & Margie's to open in Odd's Bar + Bistro space

4. Espadas de Brazil to bring Brazilian steakhouse to Bastrop's former Stem & Stone

5. Baylor Scott & White to expand Cedar Park clinic, bring more specialists

6. Austin moving to consolidate technology employees, services after weeks of pushback

Two major provisions of Texas' immigration enforcement law were blocked by a federal judge May 14, extending a yearslong legal battle over state and federal authority to remove undocumented migrants from the country.

What's happening: Siding with two Honduran immigrants who sued the state, U.S. District Judge David A. Ezra struck down two components of Senate Bill 4 hours before the 2023 law was set to take effect. An unchallenged portion of SB 4 will become law May 15.

More details: A May 4 lawsuit challenged sections of the law that would allow Texas police to arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the Texas-Mexico border multiple times and authorize state judges to issue deportation orders for those arrested.

Ezra granted a preliminary injunction against those parts of the law May 14, writing that only the federal government has the authority to enforce immigration restrictions.

Stay tuned: The state attorney general's office is expected to appeal the ruling, but did not respond to a request for comment before press time.