Transportation and Public Works officials presented draft changes to the director’s rules governing the department’s Residential Permit Parking program to the Urban Transportation Commission on May 6, teasing a set of tweaks and formalizations rather than an overhaul of the current program The new rules will address how the department evaluates applications for participation in […]
Miles Wall
Posted inWhispers
Urban Transportation Commission OKs pair of right-of-way vacations
Two right-of-way vacations requested by separate developers at a small cul-de-sac called Julieanna Cove near Airport Boulevard and the Colorado River Park Wildlife Sanctuary and at 11632 Saint Thomas Drive in Del Valle, on the southeastern side of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, were granted by the Urban Transportation Commission on May 6, with minimal discussion. Both […]
Posted inHousing
SMART housing to see changes in “phase two” of City Council-initiated review
A city incentive program intended to produce “Safe, Mixed-use, Accessible, Reasonably-priced and Transit-oriented” housing may be getting a little smarter with changes working their way towards City Council. The Housing Department is proposing four amendments to improve the “operation and functionality” of the program, per a presentation on the amendments given to the Planning Commission […]
Posted inZoning
Geology takes center stage in Judge’s Hill zoning case
Some Judges’ Hill neighbors are spooked about a proposed redevelopment near 15th and Lamar and very near a geologic feature implicated in several landslides along Shoal Creek in recent years. But so far, the city seems to think they’re just seeing ghosts. In a unanimous vote, the Planning Commission recommended rezonings at 1501, 1507, 1509, […]
Posted inPlanning
Future land use plans for CapMetro sites pick up a recommendation from Planning Commission
A bundle of subtle planning changes around two Capital Metro park-and-rides in North and South Austin may lay the groundwork for a major redevelopment on the sites, and some residents still aren’t happy about it. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve nearly a dozen related items during their regular meeting on April 22, as […]
Posted inTransportation
City touts ongoing success in one-year update on micromobility program tweaks
Last April, Austin made changes to its micromobility program, cutting the number of scooters on the street by 2,000 and reducing speed limits among other things. In a one-year update, city staff say those changes have worked out as well as or better than expected. In a presentation to City Council’s Mobility Committee during a […]
Posted inWhispers
Planning Commission elects new officers in ‘smooth’ process
The Planning Commission held elections for its officers on April 8 in a process outgoing Chair Claire Hempel remarked “went much more smoothly” than the previous year’s elections. All four positions ultimately went uncontested, and the resolution appointing the new officers was approved unanimously. Replacing Hempel as chair is outgoing Vice Chair Awais Azhar; replacing […]
Posted inResources
Austin Resource Recovery to formally amend cart collection rules
Austin Resource Recovery, the city department that handles Austin’s waste, wants to clarify some things about how residents put out recycling, trash and compost carts. In a presentation to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission during a meeting on April 10, department staff outlined proposed amendments to their administrative rules governing cart collection. City code requires […]
Posted inPlanning
West Campus zoning program set for changes as city plans density-focused upgrade
Austin’s West Campus neighborhood may be about to enter a new era of development, as city staff plan to update a special zoning overlay that has guided new building in the area since the early aughts, according to a presentation delivered by city staff to the Planning Commission during a meeting on April 8. Under […]
Posted inRoads
Urban Transportation Commission discusses, makes recommendations on CAMPO’s draft regional plan for 2050
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is cooking up a quinquennial update to its regional transportation plan, and for its part, the Urban Transportation Commission is urging CAMPO to reflect the city’s priorities – and trash some highway projects – in the final draft. The UTC unanimously passed a resolution during its regular meeting April […]
Posted inWhispers
City considers fees-in-lieu of housing units for DB90 developments
The Planning Commission voted by consent agenda to “initiate Code amendments to City Code § 25-2-652 – Density Bonus 90 (DB90) Combining District Regulations to add an option for a fee-in-lieu for non-residential space above zoning base district height or zoning base district FAR to be directed to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.” FAR stands […]
Posted inEnergy
Resource Management Commission, Austin Energy discuss reforms to homeowner solar incentives
The Resource Management Commission held an extended discussion on March 25 on a resolution urging Austin Energy, by way of City Council, to undertake several key reforms to residential solar incentive programs. The resolution, titled “Resolution on Changes to Residential Rooftop Solar Program,” was presented by Commissioner Dino Sasaridis, who co-authored it along with commissioners […]