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 Austin. The owner, Abraham Birgani, hopes to rezone the 0.34-acre site from Single Family-Large Lot […]
Jonathan Lee
Posted inLand Development Code
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 of Architects Austin, Preservation Austin and Austin Infill Coalition. “We talked with them about trying […]
Posted inLand Development Code
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 national pollster Change Research for the Austin Monitor. Questions about how Austin should grow and […]
Posted inCity Council
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. Jessica Cohen, chair of the Board of Adjustment, said low-income homeowners rarely seek variances. “I […]
Posted inPlanning
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 for several properties on the 2300 and 2400 block of East Second Street from single-family […]
Posted inZoning
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 an upscale business serving coffee, cocktails and food. But before the establishment can open, it […]
Posted inZoning
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 a residential project with ground-floor retail to rise on the currently vacant site. Leah Bojo, […]
Posted inPlanning
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 10 acres could be developed into a mix of uses including housing. But uncertainty over […]
Posted inCity Hall
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 appointing and retaining volunteer members. At the board’s Jan. 9 meeting, members discussed how enforcement […]
Posted inTexas State Legislature
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 taller buildings to be built closer to single-family homes. If the bill passes, compatibility height […]
Posted inZoning
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 ex-wife Melissa Skidmore, their son Peter, and Melissa’s current partner Brad Hoskins – urged the […]
Posted inZoning
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. In order to allow housing on the site, the property owner hopes to add a […]