Following a City Council discussion earlier this year about updating the Downtown Density Bonus Program, the Design Commission last week recommended several changes for Council to mull, including removing Council’s discretion over allowing extra-dense towers and removing floor area ratio limits. Council’s discussion and the commission’s recommendations centered around one aspect of the program: the […]
Jonathan Lee
Posted inDevelopment
New street impact fee will make development more predictable, ATD says
The Austin Transportation Department updated members of the City Council Mobility Committee last week on the city’s new street impact fee, which developers will pay to offset impacts from increased car trips to and from new buildings. Council adopted the fee last December, but it doesn’t go into effect until next June because of an […]
Posted inBudget
Designated campsite strategy remains in limbo
On Thursday, City Council members had their most in-depth discussion about designated encampments for homeless people since voting unanimously to explore the strategy back in May. Still, much remains uncertain. Last week, Mayor Pro Tem Natasha Harper-Madison and Council Member Paige Ellis spoke out against moving forward with encampments, throwing the proposal into doubt. Yesterday, […]
Posted inEnvironment
Attempted tree removal creates cul-de-sac conflict
A saga that stretched a year and a half and pitted neighbor against neighbor ended last week when the Planning Commission prevented North Austin resident Patrick Fulker from removing a cottonwood tree in the public right of way. Neighbor Krenda Rodis saved the tree by appealing the Environmental Commission’s decision allowing it to be removed. […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Public Safety Commission recommends ceasing Prop B citations
The Public Safety Commission Monday recommended that City Council halt citations and arrests related to Proposition B, arguing that public camping should not be criminalized when people don’t have anywhere else to go. “There are myriad reasons listed for why this feels appropriate,” Commissioner Nelly Paulina Ramirez said. “First and foremost, it’s impossible at this […]
Posted inCity Council
A Council resolution floats safety-minded changes on Sixth Street. Some are more controversial than others.
In response to a recent spate of violence on Sixth Street, City Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday that sets out to tackle long-neglected safety problems in the area. If the proposed changes in the resolution come to fruition after discussions among city staffers and Council, the nighttime experience on Sixth Street will change – […]
Posted inZoning
Developer sidesteps valid petition, drawing Council members’ ire
Five City Council members voted against an affordable housing project in Northeast Austin after the developer skirted a valid petition by reducing the requested rezoning area. The case still passed on first reading Thursday, with six votes in favor, but those opposed sent a clear message discouraging the practice. “I think it changes the rules […]
Posted inDevelopment
Council chooses developer for St. John Home Depot site
After years of community engagement, redevelopment of the city-owned St. John Home Depot site is finally happening. City Council Thursday voted unanimously to select the joint proposal from developer Greystar and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin. The proposal includes 560 residential units – half of which would be affordable at 50 to […]
Posted inZoning
Planning Commission recommends ‘missing middle’ project next to single-family homes
On Tuesday, the Planning Commission recommended multifamily zoning for a 20-unit townhome project at 901 & 907 Stobaugh St. in the Crestview neighborhood. The rezoning would represent a substantial increase in density compared to the single-family properties just west of the site, which drew the consternation of neighbors. An auto-body shop, an apartment complex zoned […]
Posted inCity Council
Council may abandon designated campsite strategy
City Council members Paige Ellis and Natasha Harper-Madison have announced that they will not support designated campsites for people experiencing homelessness, casting doubt on the viability of a strategy Council adopted in May. “After a week of extremely difficult conversations, lots of research into best practices and a good deal of reflection, the mayor pro […]
Posted inZoning
South Austin rezoning sails through ZAP
The Zoning and Platting Commission unanimously recommended the requested Family Residence (SF-3) zoning for a 2.4-acre lot at 2414 Drew Lane in South Austin on Tuesday. Council’s approval of the request would pave the way for 16 units that are likely to be single-family homes with accessory dwelling units. The site, which has one single-family […]
Posted inCity Hall
Some board and commission meetings may stay virtual
Will the future of city board and commission meetings be in-person or virtual? Based on discussion at Wednesday’s Audit and Finance Committee, perhaps both. The committee decided to further study the feasibility of allowing hybrid or entirely virtual meetings after hearing testimony from City Clerk Jannette Goodall and Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Chair Nehemiah […]