Kimberly Reeves

The vocal neighbors of Tarrytown dodged a potential condominium project Thursday when developer Steve Buerlein chose to pull his Elm Terrace development on third reading rather than face opposition to his upscale project.   Evidently the developer agonized over the decision, however, not notifying city staff of his decision until Thursday morning.   Buerlein – […]

The Austin Airport Advisory Commission approved a new lease and hangar development agreement with Ascend Development at Tuesday night’s AAAC meeting, but not without some protest and not without concern from commissioners over the airport’s lack of involvement in the future of general aviation in Central Texas.   AAAC’s biggest complaint about the Ascend agreement […]

The Planning Commission sidelined its review of proposed changes to the sign ordinance last night, a motion that will put the amendment in limbo until the commission can determine its position and forward the document on to Council.   That puts the Planning Commission in the unique position to determine the timeline for approving an […]

The Design Commission, minus Chair Girard Kinney who recused himself, approved a letter last night that outlined the commission’s concerns regarding changes to the ordinance governing billboards.   The first question from commissioners  — and more than one commissioner – was the intention of Council’s amendment. Was the so-called “legislative intent” of the amendment, Commissioner […]

City planners have often flirted with the concept of “form-based code” but have yet to take a full-fledged leap into the planning method, most popular on the West Coast.   But what exactly does it mean? In short, a form-based code is a city-driven plan that adds predictability to a space or neighborhood. It creates […]

The process to amend redevelopment plans for Block 18 in East Austin began last night, a process that will take two months of community dialogue, the approval of two boards and the final approval of City Council sometime in October.   Last night’s meeting was the first of three community events sponsored by the Austin […]

The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Transportation Policy Board has authorized Chair Sen. Kirk Watson (D-Austin) to begin contract negotiations with Joseph Cantalupo to assume the role of executive director of the planning organization.   The CAMPO board interviewed three finalists – Cantalupo, Erik Steavens and Bijan Yarjani – on Monday afternoon. After a brief […]

Nothing brings the county’s interim water quality ordinance into sharp relief like new development on Lake Travis on the outskirts of Travis County.   County officials have long lamented the lack of development controls the state has granted them under state law. However, the control the county has seized – the interim water quality ordinance […]

“Tepid” might be the best word to describe the Design Commission’s response Monday to Pelli Clarke Pelli’s early design proposal for the Austin Museum of Art site between Third and  Fourth streets.   Connecticut-based Pelli Clarke Pelli has an impressive portfolio of bold skyscrapers, both in Texas and on the international stage, from the Four […]

A standoff at a Planning Commission subcommittee last week highlighted the rising frustration over the effectiveness of the city’s neighborhood planning process, most recently in the South Lamar Combined Neighborhood Planning Area.   Neighborhood leaders Bryan King and Jeff Jack brought some rather heated protests to last week’s Planning Commission subcommittee meeting, led by Commissioner […]

Local elected officials have called on the general manager of the Creedmoor-Maha Water Supply Corp. to step down over racist language he used in an agenda posting, but any real retribution for Charles Laws’ comments will have to come from the Legislature.   City Hall Reporter Crystal Cotti of Fox 7 was the first to […]

Plans to expand Stubb’s Bar-B-Q – including the construction of a 1,500-seat indoor concert venue – are in the formative stage but still managed to get a preliminary nod from the Downtown Commission at last night’s meeting.   Attorney Richard Suttle and architect Craig Nasso, a former member of the Downtown Commission, made the presentation. […]