Stories by Jonathan Lee
ZAP rejects request for mixed-use zoning next to single-family homes
The Zoning and Platting Commission on Tuesday opposed rezoning a single-family lot to mixed-use zoning, siding with neighbors who fear that commercial uses will encroach into their single-family neighborhood. The property in question is at 12604 Blackfoot Trail in Northwest…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 27, 2023
Architects, builders suggest 'low-hanging fruit' land use code changes
The Planning Commission shared the findings Tuesday of a housing policy working group formed last summer to identify potential Land Development Code changes that could make housing more affordable. The working group gathered recommendations from three industry groups: American Institute…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 17, 2023
Notley/Monitor Poll: Austinites divided on parking requirements, compatibility and other housing policies
Austinites remain divided on housing issues, including what the city should do to reach its affordable housing goals and whether to change compatibility and parking requirements, according to a January/February poll of 429 voters commissioned by Notley and conducted by…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 14, 2023
Council to make zoning variances more accessible to low-income homeowners
City Council passed a resolution Thursday to make it easier for low-income Austinites to seek zoning variances from the Board of Adjustment. The proposed program would help low-income and other qualifying residents put together an application and pay application fees.…
City Council • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 10, 2023
Neighborhood plan amendment stirs debate about growth along East Cesar Chavez
A neighborhood plan amendment heard by the Planning Commission on Jan. 24 highlighted diverging attitudes around how the Holly neighborhood, anchored by East Cesar Chavez Street, should change. At issue is a request to change the future land use map…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 6, 2023
Plans for cocktail lounge on Guadalupe draw neighborhood concerns
Residents of the Heritage neighborhood showed up in force last Tuesday at the Planning Commission to object to a proposed cocktail lounge at 3100 Guadalupe St. The site, currently home to a dry cleaners, is set to be transformed into…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 3, 2023
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Planning Commission OKs Cameron Road VMU rezoning
The Planning Commission last Tuesday recommended Vertical Mixed-Use zoning on a 1.6-acre site at 7601 Cameron Road over opposition from several neighbors. The site’s owner requests a zoning change from Community Commercial (GR-CO-NP) to Vertical Mixed-Use (GR-MU-V-CO-NP), which would allow…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 30, 2023
Former East Austin tank farm site could see more development
Additional sections of the former East Austin tank farm site at Airport Boulevard and Springdale Road may be redeveloped, according to a zoning change request heard by the Planning Commission Tuesday. Two pieces of the former tank farm totaling nearly…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 27, 2023
BoA ponders term limit enforcement for boards and commissions
As the new mayor and City Council members settle into their roles, one task is appointing dozens of volunteers to serve on boards and commissions. A discussion earlier this month at the Board of Adjustment highlighted some challenges involved in…
City Hall • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 26, 2023
Bill to curb compatibility filed at the state Legislature
A bill filed last week at the Texas Legislature would significantly curtail compatibility, a rule in Austin that restricts the height of buildings near single-family homes. Senate Bill 491, filed by state Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), would in effect allow…
Texas State Legislature • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 23, 2023
Request to build garage apartment for caretaker draws neighborhood opposition
A family’s request to allow an above-garage apartment for a caretaker of their special-needs son stoked controversy last Tuesday at the Planning Commission, when neighbors opposed a rezoning necessary to move the plans forward. The family – Danielle Skidmore, her…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Jan 19, 2023
Amid flooding concerns, Planning Commission OKs rezoning off South Congress
The Planning Commission voted last Tuesday in favor of a rezoning that would allow construction of a 90-unit multifamily development near South Congress and U.S. Highway 290. The rezoning concerns a 2-acre tract at 406 and 428 E. Alpine Road.…
