City Council is seeking to limit the amount of new parking that can be build around future light rail lines.

The details: Under a resolution approved March 26, the city will explore limiting off-street parking in new development near Austin’s equitable transit-oriented development, or ETOD, districts. Those zones are being implemented near planned Austin Light Rail lines through Central, East and South Austin.

The proposed ETOD parking caps would follow the city’s recent elimination of minimum parking space requirements for new construction, a policy some officials have framed as a barrier to development and affordability.

Council member Krista Laine, the measure's sponsor, said a “soft cap” on parking is meant to encourage more intentional planning near transit, and support a more walkable and affordable city.

What else: Separately, council also approved a plan to begin splitting parking fees from residential rents in Austin. 

Texas Council for International Studies will begin operating Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools this fall.

At a March 26 meeting, the AISD board of trustees voted on a three-school year contract with the education nonprofit, which specializes in the International Baccalaureate, or IB, program.

The backstory: Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools each received their fourth consecutive F rating from the Texas Education Agency in 2025. If a Texas public school receives five or more consecutive failed ratings, the TEA commissioner is required to close the campus or takeover the district.

Through Senate Bill 1882, school districts can receive additional funding and a two-year exemption from state accountability interventions by partnering with a charter school, higher education institution, government entities or nonprofits, according to TEA information.

The update: TCIS is required to help Burnet, Dobie and Webb receive D or C ratings in the 2026-27 school year, according to the contract. The schools are expected to receive an acceptable rating of C or higher for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years.

North Austin-based barbecue restaurant and food truck SLAB BBQ rebranded as Slack City BBQ in February.

The details: The restaurant sells barbecue sandwiches; sausage wraps; brisket, chicken and other meats by the pound; and specialty items such as barbecue nachos, barbecue mac and cheese, sliders, loaded fries and wings. Customers can also pair meals with four different sauces.  Sides and desserts include potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, green bean casserole, banana pudding and cookies.

Something to note: According to a representative for the business, original pitmaster Mark Avalos is still with the business. The business started off as the Sugar Shack BBQ trailer at the University of Texas before becoming SLAB BBQ.

• 9012 Research Blvd., Austin

Check out some of the most read stories in the Austin area March 23-26.

1. 5 new and coming soon businesses in downtown Georgetown

2. Beginning March 31, most smokable cannabis products will be illegal in Texas

3. New Willie’s Grill & Icehouse location opening in Leander in late March

4. 44,000-square-foot indoor sports club headed to Leander, Cedar Park

5. Elon Musk announces ‘largest chip manufacturing facility’ Terafab coming to Austin

6. Pflugerville water update: Repairs planned, conservation critical as lake levels recover