They may have a dedicated following, but under city code Airstream trailers are still recreational vehicles, and parking one in your front yard comes with the same consequences. Andrew Hutton is asking the Board of Adjustment for a variance from a section of the code that would require him to construct a 6-foot wood or […]
The Code
Posted inAustin, Local Politics, Public Safety, The Code
Venues ask for guidance on sound ordinance
Conflicts between downtown music venues and residents continue to fester. At this week’s Austin Music Commission meeting, venue operators and musicians asked for more clarity and consistency in the city’s sound enforcement. In response, the commission formed a working group with the intention of clearing up the rules and eliminating some of the confusion that […]
Posted inCity Council, Development, The Code
Council sets overnight concrete pour ordinance
Following lengthy discussion and public input, City Council unanimously passed an interim ordinance Thursday that limits overnight concrete pouring in parts of downtown from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. and initiates a 60-day stakeholder process for a permanent solution. The ordinance, which will expire after 120 days, includes a grandfather clause that exempts building permits […]
Posted inCity Hall, Development, The Code
Accessory dwelling unit change stalls in committee
The City of Austin wants to make it easier for residents to establish accessory dwelling units — or ADUs — such as garage apartments on their property in order to create more housing in the city center. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Planning Commission’s Committee on Codes and Ordinances, residents spoke out against the changes primarily […]
Posted inCity Council, Housing, Public Safety, The Code
City looks to improve rental registration program
As part of an ongoing effort to beef up how the city addresses problem rental properties, City Council will consider whether to amend its rental registration program today. So far, the program has managed to capture only a handful of properties. Code Department director Carl Smart explained that the poor showing is a result of […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Development, The Code, Zoning
Downtown hotel zoning shifts to code amendment
After almost a year of going through the zoning change process, including trips to four different commissions and winning initial approval from City Council, developers of the Aloft Austin & Element Hotel are now seeking an amendment to the Land Development Code and giving up on their zoning case. Conventus Corporation and the Finley Company, […]
Posted inAustin, Development, The Code
Board of Adjustment worries about envelope pushing
With the likelihood of a complete pass from the city fading, one South Austin homeowner will be looking for creative solutions for the problems triggered by a garage door this month. Though some members of the Board of Adjustment appeared reluctant to grant a variance, they did vote unanimously to postpone the variance request at […]
Posted inCity Council, Public Safety, The Code
Council passes sound permitting ordinance
City Council approved an ordinance Thursday that subjects large-scale outdoor music events on city parkland, such as the Austin City Limits festival, to more comprehensive sound permitting requirements. The ordinance amends city code to require that applicants seeking outdoor amplified sound permits for music events on city parkland with a likely daily attendance of 7,500 […]