Tuesday’s normal work session, at which City Council members hear presentations from staff and ask questions about items on Thursday’s Council agenda, was canceled. Surely this is not the first time, but the Austin Monitor staff does not remember when that has happened before. When asked for an explanation, city spokesperson Shelley Parks said via […]
Jo Clifton
Jo Clifton is the Politics Editor for the Austin Monitor.
Posted inZoning
Follow-up zoning case promises more housing for South Lamar
City Council on Thursday will consider two linked zoning cases that developers hope will result in tracts for multifamily uses under a unified zoning designation of MF-6, the highest density of multifamily zoning. Council approved the initial zoning for a 2.9-acre tract at 2700 S. Lamar Blvd. in 2021. This week, they will look at […]
Posted inParks
City plans to remove Barton Springs tree ‘Flo’ this week
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department announced on Monday morning that they would be removing Flo, the nearly 100-year-old pecan tree that leans over Barton Springs Pool, before the pool opens on Thursday. In addition, the department invited members of the public to celebrate Flo’s life at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the pool. The fate […]
Posted inZoning
East 12th Street rezoning wins final approval
City Council gave final approval last week to a major change in land use on East 12th Street from commercial to mixed use, including an increase in height limits from 40 feet to 60 feet. The properties in question are within Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison’s district, and she strongly defended her support for the changes […]
Posted inWhispers
Joint public hearing on zoning likely to be Oct. 26
Last Thursday, City Council agreed to set a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission to consider new zoning regulations designed to make it easier to build affordable housing. Specifically, the hearing will be on proposals to allow three units per lot in single-family residential districts, to allow tiny homes and recreational vehicles to serve […]
Posted inWhispers
City Council joint hearing with Planning Commission OK’d
City Council on Thursday approved going forward with a joint hearing with the Planning Commission on some changes to the Land Development Code. Following that hearing, the commission will hold its own hearing and Council will follow suit on proposals to allow three units per lot in single-family residential districts, allowing tiny homes and RVs […]
Posted inDevelopment
Brodie Oaks redevelopment wins final approval
City Council gave final approval Thursday to the redevelopment of the Brodie Oaks shopping center, which developers envision as a vibrant mixed-use center with retail space, restaurants, offices and residential towers, as well as green space and a hotel. Attorney David Armbrust told the Austin Monitor that developers Barshop & Oles and Lionstone Investments of […]
Posted inCourts
Bee Cave residents sue city over proposed roadway
Citizens for the Preservation of the Brown Property, a nonprofit organization operating in Bee Cave, is gearing up for a court battle over the city’s action designating a 4-acre area near Little Barton Creek as a future roadway. The area is part of the 44-acre Brown Property, which the city purchased in 2017. Residents say […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council to consider joint hearing with Planning Commission on code amendments
Mayor Kirk Watson wants everyone in Austin to know that City Council will be holding a hearing on changes to the Land Development Code. Specifically, Council will be considering comments on proposals to allow three units per lot in single-family residential districts, allowing tiny homes and RVs to serve as accessory dwelling units and eliminating […]
Posted inZoning
Council approves commercial zoning for foundation company site
Austin City Council gave its initial approval last week to change the zoning for four North Austin lots that host a foundation repair business on Georgian Drive to bring it into compliance with city regulations. If approved on second and third readings, the new zoning will be Commercial Services-Mixed Use under a neighborhood plan (CS-MU-CO-NP). […]
Posted inCity Council
City, NXP to help fund child care through Chapter 380 agreement
City Council heard from more than a dozen people talking about the city’s proposed Chapter 380 agreement with NXP Semiconductors at Thursday’s meeting. Almost every one of them praised the company, which has been in Austin since 1974, operating two facilities. Mayor Kirk Watson called on Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, director of the Austin Economic Development Department, […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council considering allowing tiny homes, RVs as accessory dwelling units
City Council seems poised to initiate changes to city zoning regulations that will allow tiny homes and recreational vehicles to be used as accessory dwelling units in single-family neighborhoods. Council Member Leslie Pool is sponsoring a resolution on today’s Council agenda that notes that back in 2014, staff identified zoning as the largest obstacle to […]