Although former City Council Member Raul Alvarez and other east side advocates argued strenuously during last week’s meeting against granting DB90 zoning to the property at 3020 E. Cesar Chavez St., Council members approved the change on all three readings. The old zoning allowed for a relatively modest mixed-use building. Developers are now expected to […]
Development
Posted inPreservation
Appeal reveals ‘urgent need’ to review historic standards
A final attempt to stop the construction of a large second home in the Robertson/Stuart & Mair Historic District failed at City Council last week, despite concerns that its approval could set a worrying precedent for local historic districts citywide. The home is planned in the neighborhood roughly between the French Legation and the Texas […]
Posted inHousing
Council declines site plan appeal despite claims of ordinance violations
City Council last week declined to even discuss an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to approve a site plan, despite area homeowners’ arguments that the plan violates not only the Save Our Springs Ordinance but also the Hill Country Roadway Ordinance. The SOS Alliance, though not an appellant, argued in favor of the appeal […]
Posted inLand Development Code
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 a more rapid clip than land development changes usually are, was intended to replace VMU2 […]
Posted inLand Development Code
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 result in adoption of one of two ordinances that take opposite positions on the noise […]
Posted inHousing
Left waiting: Rally Austin pushes for city action on four sites ID’d for redevelopment
Representatives of the economic entity created by City Council to speed up development of city real estate assets in support of affordable housing said they’re being stymied by inaction that’s holding back work on at least four high-profile sites. In 2022, City Council approved four properties to consider for redevelopment in the near future, with […]
Posted inPlanning
Downtown Commission gets preview of next chapter for John Henry Faulk Building and Austin History Center
With the Austin History Center “busting at the seams” with, well, history, city library officials have been preparing the John Henry Faulk Building next door to house the History Center’s vast collection of archives. Both the History Center and the Faulk Building, formerly Austin’s Central Library, are undergoing a rebranding of sorts as the two […]
Posted inZoning
Planning Commission endorses multifamily project in Montopolis
Despite some consternation about the impact to the neighborhood in terms of scale and potential for displacement, Planning Commission members have voted in support of a new multifamily development on Montopolis Drive between Caddie and Fairway streets. The project is expected to bring around 189 units to the 2 acres that currently stand empty. Victoria […]
Posted inZoning
East Austin church rezoning reveals cracks in DB90
Plans to expand an East Austin church are moving forward, but not before they sparked criticism of the city’s new density bonus program, DB90, at the Planning Commission last week. Christ Church of Central Austin, which is located at San Marcos and Medina streets in the Cesar Chavez neighborhood, went to the Planning Commission in […]
Posted inHousing
Project Connect anti-displacement funding gets close look from Community Development Commission
Members of the Community Development Commission have requested more information from city staff about the decision-making process for spending Project Connect funds intended to preserve or create affordable housing near the mass transit system. Last week, the commission received a presentation that detailed how the city has so far spent approximately $120 million of the […]
Posted inPlanning
Watershed Protection details preparation for Old Lampasas Dam repairs
The Watershed Protection Department appears to ready to move ahead with the start of the Old Lampasas Dam #3 Modernization Project, having completed the diligence called for by City Council this spring. In a memo released Monday, WPD Director Jorge Morales detailed his department’s progress on the environmental and quality-of-life concerns included in a May […]
Posted inPreservation
Umlauf Vision Plan aims to revive iconic sculptor’s home and studio as museum
Plans to significantly expand the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum are continuing to drum up enthusiasm, with Historic Landmark commissioners granting the project their blessing last week. The Umlauf Historic Preservation, Expansion, and Unification Plan hopes to add thousands of square feet in new gallery and programming space while opening up new areas of the […]