Apprehension was in the air as representatives of the CodeNEXT team, led by Planning and Zoning Department Director Greg Guernsey, addressed the joint meeting of the Planning and Zoning and Platting commissions on Nov. 29. “The fact that we’re here, and it’s almost December, and there’s so much we don’t know know, makes us the […]
Land Development Code
Posted inLand Development Code
Details of proposed CodeNEXT timeline revealed
City Council has a new road map charting the path toward the completion of CodeNEXT, the long and arduous re-engineering of the city’s Land Development Code. The new timeline separates the process into four phases and provides more clarity on the specific roles of Council, the Planning Commission, the Zoning and Platting Commission and the […]
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‘Train wreck’: Planning Commission discusses CodeNEXT
A working group of the Planning Commission had only negative things to report at the commission’s Oct. 25 meeting after analyzing the final prescription paper for CodeNEXT, the city’s overhaul of the Land Development Code. The paper, which addresses fiscal health, had been presented at the commission’s Oct. 11 meeting. Commissioner Angela Piñeyro De Hoyos […]
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BoA shoots down East Austin variance cluster
At the Board of Adjustment’s most recent meeting, the specters of short-term rentals and the Jumpolin piñata store did no favors for a group seeking variances in East Austin. Chris French, who identified himself as the homeowner’s brother, explained that they were seeking variances for the property at 206 San Marcos St. He said the […]
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Resubdivision reignites discussion at Planning Commission
A section of the city code that periodically causes brows to furrow on the Planning Commission reappeared at the commission’s last meeting. And, although commission members were bound by law in this latest reminder, a vow to take another look at the code emerged, again. It all restarted with a plan to resubdivide just over […]
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Two-year permit puzzle continued at the BoA
It’s back to the drawing board for some Lake Austin homeowners who have yet to move into the home they purchased in 2014. Armbrust & Brown’s Eric DeYoung represented the owners, Stone Park Trust, at the Board of Adjustment meeting earlier this month in an attempt to solve the impervious cover and permit problems at […]
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No special exceptions for East Austin special exception
Angry neighbors were no match for strange coincidences at the Board of Adjustment earlier this month. Nanette DiNunzio was seeking a special exception that would allow her to retain her garage, which – because it is in the 5-foot setback – would not normally be compliant with city code. She argued that a special exception […]
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Commission starts process on affordable housing incentive program
The city Planning Commission on Tuesday kicked off the creation of an amendment to Austin’s land development code to encourage developers to build more affordable housing. The objective of the proposal, which is only in the beginning stages of being drafted, is to increase the number of properties for which the city can offer developers […]
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BoA shoots down affordable housing variance in East Austin
An affordable housing project in Central East Austin had clear support from the Board of Adjustment. But, given the similarity to a case down the street that was rejected just hours before, board members struggled to articulate their support in a way that would not come back to haunt them on Monday night. In the […]
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Carport/garage rules lose traction at commission
Given a Planning Commission vote and a range of opposition willing to stay late to fight, it seems unlikely that McMansion rules on carports and garages will be changing any time soon. At their most recent meeting, Planning Commissioners considered an amendment that would change part of Subchaper F, aka the McMansion Ordinance, that eliminates […]
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Council moves to change demolition rules
Last week, City Council approved a resolution that could change how civic buildings are demolished in Austin. The resolution, which was sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, could require all demolition permits for civic buildings that are 50 years or older to have a public hearing. Council voted to approve the resolution in a […]
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Council reaches compromise on charter school land use debate
Last week, City Council voted to apply the same development standards to charter schools that were already required of local public schools, ending months of emotionally charged debate on the issue. In a 7-1-2 vote, with Council Member Ellen Troxclair opposed, Council members Sheri Gallo and Don Zimmerman abstaining and Council Member Delia Garza off […]