City staff made the case against panic to City Council’s Mobility Committee during an update on the state of Austin’s pending federal infrastructure grants, which some believe may be threatened by President Donald Trump’s executive orders to freeze all federal grants, during their regular meeting on Feb. 20. Richard Mendoza, director of the city Department […]
Miles Wall
Posted inZoning
DB90 designation signals redevelopment on Hart Lane
A proposal to rezone several tracts of land on Hart Lane to allow for more intensive redevelopment under the DB90, or Density Bonus 90, zoning district was recommended by the Zoning and Platting Commission by an 8-1 vote during a public meeting on Feb. 18. The locations at 7201, 7201 and 1/2, 7205, 7121 Hart […]
Posted inZoning
Planning Commission bucks opposition to recommend DB90 for Red River plots
The Planning Commission voted 9-0-1, with Commissioner Grayson Cox abstaining, to recommend a proposal from a landowner to rezone three addresses on Red River Street in the Hancock neighborhood that was widely panned by neighbors at a public meeting on Feb. 11. The recommended rezoning would change the three properties at 4305, 4307 and 4309 […]
Posted inWhispers
Zero Waste Advisory Commission adds own ‘no’ rec on merge with RMC
The Zero Waste Advisory Commission voted unanimously to add their own recommendation against a proposed merger with the Resource Management Commission on Feb. 12. The Austin Monitor had previously reported on the RMC’s recommendation against the same merger on Feb. 3. During the meeting, commissioners amended their draft resolution to include language directly copied from […]
Posted inHousing
Planning Commission hears complaints, offers amendments on new STR ordinance in marathon hearing
Over the course of more than three hours, the Planning Commission heard often rancorous public comments on a new ordinance that would regulate short-term rentals, then voted to recommend 11 of their own amendments to the ordinance at its regular meeting on Feb. 11. The proposed ordinance would attempt to bring short-term rentals, or STRs, […]
Posted inZoning
Council-initiated Dessau Road rezoning for nonprofit office to be returned with dueling recommendations
A rezoning initiated by City Council on two properties that local nonprofit Foster Village plans to use for office space will come back with dueling recommendations from the Planning Department and the Zoning and Platting Commission after the latter voted down the former’s and submitted its own during a special called meeting on Feb. 6. […]
Posted inPreservation
Zoning and Platting Commission recommends against historic zoning for Northwest Austin ranch
The Zoning and Platting Commission voted 7-3 to recommend against adding historic zoning to part of the site of the former Running Rope Ranch during a special called meeting on Feb. 6, with Chair Hank Smith abstaining due to a conflict of interest. The Austin Monitor has previously reported on the long process of redevelopment […]
Posted inCity Hall
Resource Management Commission recommends against proposed merge
Members of the Resource Management Commission voted unanimously to recommend against a resurrected proposal to merge the RMC with the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, or ZWAC, at a special called meeting on Feb. 3. In their resolution making the “no” recommendation, the RMC argued that the overlap between the two commissions is “narrow in scope” […]
Posted inWhispers
Watershed Protection Department schedules Feb. 14 meeting on new erosion ordinance
The Watershed Protection Department will host a virtual public meeting on Feb. 14 on its proposed ordinance to expand erosion protections along the Colorado River south of the Longhorn Dam after the approval process for the ordinance was delayed last month. The Monitor previously reported on the details of the ordinance, which would expand a […]
Posted inWhispers
Parks and Rec wins permit for alcohol sales at Waller Creek Boathouse, but who’ll sell the booze?
At its Jan. 28 meeting, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit requested by the Parks and Recreation Department that would allow alcohol sales at the Waller Creek Boathouse. The issuing of the permit is part of a wider project by Parks and Rec to bring alcohol sales operating within parks into compliance with […]
Posted inZoning
Neighbors turn out for Manor Road proposal
A proposal to amend a city plan surrounding Capital Metro’s Martin Luther King Jr. Station was met with anger from neighbors during a Planning Commission meeting on Jan. 28 and a successful request from developers for commissioners to postpone any decision on the case. The amendment would remove a plot of land at 2967 Manor […]
Posted inWhispers
Planning Commission endorses historic zoning for Perry House
The Planning Commission voted to support historic landmark zoning designation for 610 Baylor St., also known as the Perry House, to City Council at its Jan. 28 meeting. The Monitor previously reported on the case, advanced by homeowners Hayes and Jessica Barnard through an LLC, which would add certain preservation protections and responsibilities for the […]