Climate activist Paul Robbins came to the Oct. 7 meeting of the Public Safety Commission to alert commissioners to the dangers firefighters and first responders face. Beyond the obvious hazards associated with the profession, Robbins pointed out that heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that are used in building materials can leach into the air […]
Jessi Devenyns
Posted inLand Development Code
Board of Adjustment debates how far is too far to read a sign
The Hill Country Roadway Ordinance mandates that any sign along Highway 360 be less than 12 feet high, smaller than 64 square feet and conceal exterior lighting. However, Ben Robinson, who was representing the applicant for the Nalle Woods apartments at 4700 North Capital of Texas Highway, explained to the Board of Adjustment at its […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Board of Adjustment wants to participate more fully in LDC review
The Land Development Code draft continues to make its way through the city’s boards and commissions, making its latest stop at the Board of Adjustment on Monday night. The Board of Adjustment is tasked with sending feedback to the Planning Commission about the sections pertaining to variances and code interpretations – the areas of code […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Planning Commission begins tackling the new LDC draft
Friday, Oct. 4, was a big day for the city of Austin. That afternoon ushered in the draft of the city’s most recent attempt to rewrite its Land Development Code, kicking off months of discussions about the topic. The Planning Commission had its first discussion on Oct. 8. Though the commissioners only had four days […]
Posted inPlanning
At Robinson Ranch, the apple may fall far from the tree
When Apple Inc. announced its plans to build a $1 billion campus late last year, there was a wave of speculation about what the company’s expansion would mean for Austin in terms of traffic congestion and employment opportunities. However, there was little talk of the company’s development plans. Site plans filed last December indicate the […]
Posted inWhispers
EMS personnel have more backup now in the event of assault
After reports from EMS personnel raised questions about the frequency of field officer assault by patients, Selena Xie, the president of the Austin EMS Association, approached the Public Safety Commission to ask for assistance in creating a better safety net for EMS professionals who need emergency assistance in the event of an assault. One month […]
Posted inZoning
Planning Commission recommends food truck in Tarrytown
Tarrytown may be a centrally located neighborhood, but it is not very walkable. To give neighbors at least one option that is accessible on foot, David Kanne, a resident and local developer, purchased the 11-unit multifamily complex at 2401 Winsted Lane and has been working to improve the property over the last six months. His […]
Posted inPolice
Public Safety Commission talks homelessness with APD
Last week brought a new level of scrutiny to the way the city polices individuals experiencing homelessness. The governor declared he would “unleash” state resources if Austin doesn’t address its homelessness issues by Nov. 1. Police Chief Brian Manley suggested reinstating the old ordinances while the department worked on its enforcement strategy. Finally, the police […]
Posted inPreservation
Texas’ oldest psychiatric facility faces demolition but is eligible to be a historic landmark
This past legislative session, lawmakers identified the Austin State Hospital as a top health care funding priority and set aside $165 million for its refurbishment. Texas Health and Human Services and the University of Texas at Austin’s Dell Medical School are overseeing the modernization of the state hospital campus and moving forward with plans to […]
Posted inZoning
Pioneer Crossing PUD changes course, adding parkland
Having passed through and received an approval recommendation from the Zoning and Platting Commission on Sept. 17 for its 14th amendment, the Pioneer Crossing planned unit development arrived at the Environmental Commission on Oct. 2. A 376-acre portion of the 1,410-acre site sits at 3124 E. Parmer Lane where developers are requesting to reallocate the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Developer offers extra parkland to speed construction
Pioneer Crossing at 10930 Defender Trail is an old, undeveloped planned unit development that City Council approved in 1997. A history of foreclosures and bankruptcy has left the 1,410-acre parcel fragmented between various owners. Nevertheless, the site is still beholden to the original agreements that require 112.5 acres to be dedicated to parkland. Despite 25 […]
Posted inPlanning
Planning Commission votes in favor of protecting future ears from airport expansion
Generally speaking, residential use is prohibited within the airport overlay zones. The exception is the third zone (AO3) of the airport overlay, which under certain circumstances permits residential development. “We don’t just meet one of the three thresholds, we meet two,” Drenner Group’s Amanda Swor told the Planning Commission at its Sept. 24 meeting. She […]