I can understand if your eyes glaze over at the mention of a “land code rewrite.” But whether you asked for it or not (and likely you didn’t), if you live in Austin, a case being heard this week in a Houston appeals court affects you. On Wednesday, the city of Austin is scheduled to […]
Land Development Code
Posted inLand Development Code
Zilker substandard lot case sparks debate at Board of Adjustment
An appeal to grant a variance to homebuilders on Kinney Avenue raised questions of precedent and procedure at the Board of Adjustment meeting this past Monday. On behalf of property owner Molly Development Company, applicant Ian Ellis sought the board’s permission to waive regulations over construction on smaller, or “substandard” lots. The board voted unanimously […]
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Green infrastructure pushed as remedy to stormwater pollution threats
An Austin-based environmental group is pushing City Council to approve a plan to protect area waterways from pollution through changes in building requirements that would promote stormwater retention. On Wednesday, Environment Texas delivered petitions with roughly 1,000 signatures to Council offices. The petitions call for a move to include nature-based infrastructure such as rain gardens, […]
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Housing and Planning Committee examines barriers to ADU construction
The city’s Housing and Planning Committee met Tuesday to discuss the regulations for accessory dwelling units, secondary housing units located somewhere on a residential lot. As Austin’s housing crisis persists and the median sale price of homes continues to rise, ADUs can sometimes provide a more affordable housing option. But cumbersome local policies regulating ADUs can […]
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Fee changes to Downtown Density Bonus Program delayed until November
City Council and boards and commissions will have to wait until November to see the latest proposal on adjustments to the costs developers will have to pay to avoid adding affordable housing units to downtown development projects. Staff members were expecting an update to the fee-in-lieu schedule for the city’s Downtown Density Bonus Program by […]
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Music, arts proponents renew push in land use code for creative spaces
Music and creative proponents are renewing a push to change the city land use code to make it easier for live music venues and other creative spaces to open throughout the city. The Music Commission voted unanimously last Monday in support of a draft letter from a working group made up of members of the […]
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West Campus sign variance remains on hold after illuminating discussion
Once again, an accidental ban on illuminated signs has forced developers to seek a variance from an unintentional city statute. Current city code prohibits illuminated signs in the University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO). While the prohibition was made in error, it has yet to be corrected. A May 2020 memo from Jerry Rusthoven with the city’s […]
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BoA postpones parking variance for want of a better hardship
Parking requirements could threaten the affordability of a North Central Austin apartment complex. But finding no hardship – aside from the Land Development Code itself – Board of Adjustment members have asked for more information to better consider a variance request. “We really feel like what we have is a parking requirement that will either […]
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City mistakes and heritage tree pave the way for East Austin variance
Unaware that it was prohibited by city code, Daniel Salazar carefully nestled his new home against his back property line. The project was approved by the city and the mistake was not identified until after the structure was built. As a result, Salazar came before the Board of Adjustment seeking a variance in order to […]
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Bill that would have revived Land Development Code dies in session
It wasn’t on the city’s legislative agenda, but a bill that would have empowered City Council to move forward with a final vote on a revised Land Development Code died in a House committee, giving neighborhood advocates another victory over the city and developers. House Bill 2989, brought by Rep. John Cyrier, R-Lockhart, would have […]
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A ‘modest’ proposal: Lake Austin lot seeks variance
Citing excessive constraints on their land, one Lake Austin property owner went to the Board of Adjustment Nov. 9 seeking a break that would allow them to move forward with building a home. Eric Gomez, representing owner Malia Muir, said that, under the current setbacks, the property was “unreasonably limited” for residential use by Lake […]
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Shocking none, BoA OKs illuminated sign on the Drag
The Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a variance that will allow a new lighted sign on Guadalupe Street. Most of the questions at the meeting Monday were directed at the city code itself, which apparently prohibits illuminated signs despite their well-established proliferation. The request came from the national salad chain Sweetgreen, which opened its first […]