Stories by Ryan Thornton
Exception for RV park near Hamilton Pool put on hold
The Travis County Commissioners Court still hasn’t found the middle ground it’s looking for to grant a platting requirement exception for the Bentree RV Resort, a recreational vehicle park that would be developed less than a mile southwest of the…
Development • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 11, 2019
Council sets off on long journey to code adoption
City Council took its first go at a first reading of the draft Land Development Code on Monday. Due both to the scope of the issue and scheduling conflicts, that attempt will now be spread out over today and Wednesday,…
Land Development Code • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 10, 2019
Chief appraiser says market will determine whether code rewrite changes property values
City Council got some clarity Tuesday on the issue of property valuations under the Land Development Code rewrite. Chief Appraiser Marya Crigler of the Travis Central Appraisal District joined Council’s work session to offer context to a conversation Council members…
Land Development Code • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 4, 2019
CAMPO 2040 plan, Stassney Lane overpass highlight common failures of multimodal projects
A recent brief from the Center for American Progress suggests the Austin region’s transportation efforts may ultimately work against its own stated priorities. Kevin DeGood, CAP’s director of Infrastructure Policy and author of the Nov. 13 brief, examined the Capital…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Dec 3, 2019
Demolition permitting revision to get going in 2020
The Development Services Department is behind schedule in its effort to revise the city’s demolition permitting process. The department issued a report with nine recommendations for a new process in October 2018. At the time, the department expected to bring…
City Hall • By Ryan Thornton • Nov 27, 2019
Garza says code needs 'equity overlay' to address historic development patterns
Reading through the draft Land Development Code over the last several weeks, Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza noted that, for all its pages and nuance, the draft has a blind spot around housing equity. Realizing there was no single tool…
Land Development Code • By Ryan Thornton • Nov 26, 2019
Subscribe to our newsletter
MLK crossing compromises Capitol Complex pedestrian concept
The Texas Capitol Complex is now well into the first phase of construction. Funding for the second of three phases was allocated during this year’s legislative session. The project lays out a grand vision of a “cultural gateway” linking the…
Planning • By Ryan Thornton • Nov 22, 2019
Council makes first move for Tarrytown food truck zoning case
David Kanne, the owner of a Tarrytown multifamily residential lot, wants to build a family-friendly play area with a food truck over what today is a filled-in pool and patio on an underused corner of his property at 2401 Winsted…
Zoning • By Ryan Thornton • Nov 21, 2019
City, Capital Metro, to consider new vision for Red Line trail
In the past week, the city of Austin and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority have each passed resolutions to renew interest in creating a 32-mile transit- and trail-oriented corridor with hike and bike trails, parks, and easy access to transit stations…
Transportation • By Ryan Thornton • Nov 19, 2019
West Campus overlay grows without Planning Commission expansion
The 2004 University Neighborhood Overlay district has made West Campus a strong contender for the most urban neighborhood in the city. City Council passed an amendment to the district Thursday that will help generate even more growth, but some of…
Planning • By Ryan Thornton • Nov 18, 2019
Council debates the potential impact of large-scale rezoning on property taxes
Some of City Council’s internal conflict over the Land Development Code may be tied to different understandings of how zoning and development affect residential property taxes. The code rewrite lead team told Council on Tuesday that many residents are worried…
Land Development Code • By Ryan Thornton • Nov 14, 2019
Council to consider park priorities, long-range plan
City Council will consider adoption of the Austin Parks and Recreation Long-Range Plan on Thursday, though not all Council members are sure the plan’s top priorities jibe with the city’s vision for housing, walkability and equity. If adopted, the plan…
