Stories by Joseph Caterine
Planning Commission recommends Council negotiate MUD consent agreement
At its last meeting, the Planning Commission voted to approve a staff recommendation on the second part of a request to amend the consent agreement for Moore’s Crossing, a municipal utility district east of Austin proper, in order to clarify…
Planning • By Joseph Caterine • Jan 26, 2017
North Austin zoning case clears ZAP
At its meeting on Tuesday, the Zoning and Platting Commission approved a request to rezone a Northwest Austin property for Community Commercial (GR) use. Ron Thrower, the agent representing owner and applicant Douglas Reynolds, said his client intends to have…
Zoning • By Joseph Caterine • Jan 20, 2017
Developer, city arborist agree on heritage tree removal
In a rare exception to the city’s 95 percent preservation rate for heritage trees, the Planning Commission approved staff’s recommendation of a variance during its Jan. 10 meeting that would permit applicant Stantec Inc. to remove two heritage trees in…
Planning • By Joseph Caterine • Jan 19, 2017
Unadopted South Lamar Corridor Plan influences Planning Commission appeal
A subpar neighborhood traffic analysis did not stop the Planning Commission from granting an appeal for a 60,000-square-foot mixed-use project at 2010 South Lamar Blvd. during its Jan. 10 meeting. Due to the site plan not meeting city code with…
Planning • By Joseph Caterine • Jan 18, 2017
Specter of CodeNEXT informs vertical mixed-use cases at Planning Commission
In two separate cases on Tuesday, the Planning Commission approved vertical mixed-use zoning on Congress Avenue. The majority of the commissioners continue to see VMU zoning as a way to increase density along or near core transit corridors in line…
Planning • By Joseph Caterine • Jan 13, 2017
Planning Commission approves Plaza Saltillo project, affordability level disputed
After what Chair Stephen Olivier called “officially our longest case ever,” the Planning Commission approved three rezoning items associated with the six tracts of the Plaza Saltillo project at its Jan. 10 meeting. The properties, owned by the Capital Metropolitan…
Planning • By Joseph Caterine • Jan 12, 2017
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Planning Commission approves South Austin rezoning despite traffic, flooding concerns
Despite opposition from neighbors, the Planning Commission last week voted to support the rezoning of a South Austin property to allow condominiums and townhouses. At its Dec. 13 meeting, the commission unanimously approved the rezoning of 4507 and 4511 Vinson…
Zoning • By Joseph Caterine • Dec 19, 2016
Waiver applicant pitches restrictive covenant with themselves
The Planning Commission voted 7-4 at its Dec. 13 meeting to postpone a decision on a compatibility waiver for a new multifamily residential development called the Lofts at 12th, located at 2724 East 12th St. The waiver would accommodate the…
Planning • By Joseph Caterine • Dec 15, 2016
City defends stance on Dripping Springs discharge permit
Chris Herrington, an engineer with the city’s Watershed Protection Department, hopes to dispel the notion that the city of Austin is an “800-pound gorilla” that intimidates surrounding municipalities into submitting to its environmental policy. At the Dec. 7 meeting of…
Resources • By Joseph Caterine • Dec 14, 2016
Parks compliance with ADA to take 10 years
Nearly a year after the city’s established compliance deadline for the new American with Disabilities Act requirements, the Parks and Recreation Board heard a presentation on the city’s ADA transition plan during its Dec. 6 meeting. Jesus Lardizabal from Altura…
Parks • By Joseph Caterine • Dec 9, 2016
Parks board OKs Lamar Beach Master Plan
In advance of its appearance at the Dec. 8 City Council meeting, the Lamar Beach Master Plan was approved with recommendation by the Parks and Recreation Board when it met on Dec. 6. “This is a bad deal for the…
Parks • By Joseph Caterine • Dec 8, 2016
Land use commissions scramble to prepare for CodeNEXT draft release
Apprehension was in the air as representatives of the CodeNEXT team, led by Planning and Zoning Department Director Greg Guernsey, addressed the joint meeting of the Planning and Zoning and Platting commissions on Nov. 29. “The fact that we’re here,…
