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Most Popular Stories
- How Trump’s federal funding freeze is beginning to affect Austin
- APD won’t enforce SB 14 as Paxton and Trump further attack gender-affirming health care
- After shutting off mental health care for Austin musicians, SIMS Foundation restarts services
- Commercial EV station moves forward despite opposition
- Council approves call for better coordination, planning among downtown projects
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- Council Member Mike Siegel will speak out against cuts to federal services
- City manager hosts community meetings on next year’s budget
- DAA offers a look at future of Sixth Street entertainment district
- Zero Waste Advisory Commission adds own ‘no’ rec on merge with RMC
- Former church site offers mix of affordable, permanent supportive housing in SE Austin
Land Development Code
Commercial EV station moves forward despite opposition
After the Planning Commission denied the request for a commercial electric-vehicle charging lot in East Austin last April, the project is moving forward based on an ordinance passed by City Council. Last April, the Planning Commission voted 7-3-3 to deny…
Land Development Code • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Feb 19, 2025
A streamlined approach to infill housing is set for Council action
City Council members received a preview Tuesday of a proposed infill ordinance, or “site plan lite,” aimed at streamlining the approval process for small-scale residential projects. The proposed ordinance on Thursday’s agenda would apply to developments of five to 16…
Land Development Code • By Amy Smith • Feb 12, 2025
Planning memo details performance, possible changes for density bonus programs
A new analysis of the city’s density bonus programs finds mixed results in their ability to deliver community benefits such as affordable housing in new real estate projects. A memo released last week by Planning Department Director Lauren Middleton-Pratt details…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Jan 9, 2025
Austin Watershed Protection Department proposes code updates to further protect the Colorado River
The Austin Watershed Protection Department held a public meeting on Monday, Oct. 28, at the Montopolis Recreation and Community Center to discuss proposed code updates regarding the Colorado River. In 2022, City Council passed a resolution directing the city manager…
Land Development Code • By Hunter Simmons • Nov 4, 2024
Board of Adjustment approves variances in the interest of health and safety
The Board of Adjustment heard a presentation on Tuesday from David Webber, of the Webber + Studio architectural design firm, who requested two variances for increased impervious coverage and floor area ratio at a property in Old West Austin. The…
Land Development Code • By Hunter Simmons • Oct 17, 2024
Realtors join Broadnax in push to revamp city processes in favor of density
Real estate leaders and the city’s top executive see potential in the city’s recent slates of code changes for land use and building, but agreed that implementing those changes effectively will be what determines their success in addressing Austin’s rising…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 4, 2024
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City Council resolution requiring bollard installations at medical facilities could prevent future tragedies
Following a tragic accident at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center on Feb. 13, City Council responded in July by unanimously approving a resolution to enhance safety measures at medical facilities by requiring installation of bollards at entrances. This week,…
City Council • By Hunter Simmons • Oct 4, 2024
Council pushes forward with density bonus changes
Though it has been in place only since February, the city’s newest density bonus program – DB90 – was updated by City Council during its Thursday meeting. DB90, which is a new zoning category ushered through the codification process at…
Land Development Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Sep 3, 2024
Noisy neighbors: Council to consider changes in decibel limits for some new construction
At Thursday’s meeting, City Council will consider adjustments to the recent DB90 zoning classification that could result in a significant reduction in the noise levels allowed in residential areas. A scheduled public hearing on the possible ordinance change could also…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 28, 2024
Disability committee asks Council to address group homes in land use code
Changes to city code that could affect the regulation of group homes for seniors and people with disabilities prompted a request for City Council to make further adjustments to the Land Development Code. The Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabilities…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 11, 2024
Panelists offer cautious optimism on HOME and other city land use changes
Local real estate and development professionals weighed in Wednesday on the potential impact of the city’s many recent changes in land use policy, which were intended to add housing stock and address the affordability problem that has affected the area…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 27, 2024
Following HOME approvals, Council calls for affordability programs to aid longtime residents
Lower- and middle-income homeowners are the target population for a resolution approved by City Council on Thursday intended to create the financing needed to build more homes on existing lots. The resolution, which was led by Council Member José Velásquez,…
