There is an exception in city code that exempts homes with habitable basements from including the underground space in their overall square footage calculation. In order to claim that exception, however, a house must meet strict guidelines: The first story of the structure must not rise more than 3 feet above the average elevation of […]
Jessi Devenyns
Posted inZoning
ZAP locked in impasse over introducing a charter school in a South Austin neighborhood
Faced with a neighborhood constrained by two exits and an uncertain increase in vehicle trips per day, the Zoning and Platting Commission debated how much density is too much for a South Austin neighborhood. The 27-acre tract, which spans the addresses of 9900 David Moore Drive and 9800 Swansons Ranch Road, is owned by the […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Historic Landmark Commission expresses displeasure at preservation efforts in LDC draft
As Council’s first vote on the new Land Development Code draft inches ever closer, the Historic Landmark Commission publicly weighed in at its Nov. 18 meeting – and its reaction was not a positive one. Of particular concern was the “preservation incentive,” which received an icy blast of the commissioners’ ire. The preservation incentive that […]
Posted inLand Development Code
How heritage tree regulations change under new draft code
Transition zones have proved to be a divisive topic at City Hall during the ongoing discussions about the Land Development Code draft. These zones, which are meant to promote “missing middle” housing options and increase density, are raising eyebrows due to changes in long-standing provisions that are proposed to achieve the desired density levels. One […]
Posted inZoning
Northwest Austin property prompts questions about impervious cover and flooding
There are times when a rezoning case awakens long-buried neighborhood arguments. Such was the case for the 1-acre tract at 12303 Morris Road, where co-owners and developers were requesting a zoning change from Rural Residence (RR) to a higher-density Townhouse and Condominium Residence (SF-6). Thos Watts, who was representing the applicants on the case, told […]
Posted inPlanning
Council approves amendments to city code and new floodplain maps
City Council has unanimously approved amendments to the city code redefining what constitutes the 25-year and 100-year floodplains in Austin. The changes also amend floodplain regulations and expand staff’s ability to approve residential redevelopment within the expanded floodplains. The proposed code changes are the result of Atlas 14, a historical rainfall study released by the […]
Posted inElections
Unconventional Austin campaign finance violation moves to final hearing but could still be withdrawn
November elections have come and gone, but the Ethics Review Commission is still dealing with the ripple effects caused by a purported violation of campaign finance laws. Political consultant Mark Littlefield filed a complaint in late October alleging that Unconventional Austin, a political action committee that advocated for Proposition B, broke the law when it […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Board of Adjustment agrees to a lake setback reduction for a family home in West Lake
City records are not infallible archives. This reality was evidenced by a variance case at 1901 Westlake Drive, which was postponed last month by the Board of Adjustment in order to dredge up more information on the history of the lot’s shared driveway and whether it – and its accompanying impervious cover – was required. […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Board of Adjustment soundly rejects variances over ‘egregious’ code violations
After dedicating nearly a year to the construction of his personal residence at 504 Sunny Lane, StoryBuilt founder Ryan Diepenbrock found his construction choices to be the subject of a case at the Board of Adjustment last Thursday. Diepenbrock, who was unable to attend, sent his agent Colby Turner to seek retroactive variances to bring […]
Posted inWhispers
ZAP votes to honor Council decision from 1984 rather than modern code
When the city of Austin expanded U.S. Highway 183 to include a frontage road in the 1980s, businesses that fronted the highway and backed up to Jollyville Road were given the opportunity to relocate any of their improvements made in the areas that were sacrificed to the right-of-way condemnations to another portion of their property. […]
Posted inPreservation
In the midst of preservation push, city permits demolition of church
After the Historic Landmark Commission initiated historic zoning for the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at 1711 E. Oltorf St. last July, the status of the midcentury, A-frame church became tenuous as its integrity continued to degrade month after month. Finally, last week, the city administratively issued the property owners a demolition permit – even […]
Posted inCity Hall
Audit: City-owned facilities set to save Austin $330M in 30 years
As the city faces a 3.5 percent tax cap beginning next year, city departments are searching for ways to save their pennies. Staff members have found one such savings opportunity by working to get city employees into city-owned buildings rather than leasing office space. Right now, the city leases 781,000 square feet of office space […]