An attempt to rezone a North Austin property from single-family to residential simply to increase the impervious cover on the lot found no friends at the Planning Commission last week. Minh-Tu Ngoc Doan explained that he had no intention of operating a commercial garage on the site. He said that fixing cars was a […]
Development
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Vested Rights Ordinance headed back for Council vote this week
A revised Vested Rights Ordinance is headed back to City Council again this Thursday. The ordinance is intended to fill the hole left when Council repealed Austin’s Project Duration Ordinance in March 2013, after an opinion from Attorney General Greg Abbott that the city law was in conflict with state law. Though at the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Board of Adjustment postpones variance to enclose South Austin carport
A request for a garage in South Austin spiraled into a late-night philosophical discussion at the Board of Adjustment. Allison Marshall was seeking a variance that would allow her to decrease her front yard setback so that she could enclose her carport at 2301 East Side Drive. The home is located in the South River […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Public Safety
Martinez proposes that city issue debt to buy out flooded homes
Austin City Council Member Mike Martinez will announce a proposal at 10 a.m. today that would have the potential of greatly accelerating buyouts for homeowners whose houses were damaged or destroyed in last year’s Halloween floods on Onion Creek. Martinez’ plan targets homes in the Onion Creek region not currently covered by the city’s […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
2015 budget rollout shows Austin economy poised for more growth
Like a pep rally before the big game, the Austin City Council’s FY2015 Budget Report started with a glowing report from Texas Perspective’s Jon Hockenyos that has become the norm in recent years, and built to a crescendo of cheers all-around. “I can’t find any reason not to say that Austin is the strongest […]
Posted inDevelopment
City plan to replace Barton Springs Bridge runs into complications
The process is barely underway, but the city’s plan to replace the historic Barton Springs Bridge is already generating pushback from the historic preservation community. Last week’s Public Works Request for Qualifications for a design consultant to replace the 1925 bridge at the entrance to Zilker Park, as well as the Redbud Trail Bridge […]
Posted inDevelopment, Resources
Austin Energy to build $67 million office building in East Riverside area
Facing continued cramped quarters and a big-dollar lease, Austin Energy officials say they hope next week to take a major step toward construction of a new office building for the city’s electric utility. Austin Energy officials plan to ask the City Council May 1 for approval to negotiate a design-build agreement with Turner+Page, a […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government
Neighbors upset over subdivision of lots in eastern Travis County
A landowner’s request to divide a two-acre lot in the Estates of Wilbarger Creek into two one-acre lots has riled up some neighbors, who say they moved out to the picturesque preserve in east Travis County to enjoy the wide open spaces. But Travis County Commissioners were told they had little choice but to approve […]
Posted inDevelopment
Board of Adjustment postpones variance for title loan company
The Board of Adjustment is taking extra time to consider a case that could test the city’s new ordinance regulating payday lenders. One company, Texas Title Loans, is complaining that the law is being improperly applied to them retroactively. Jackson Walker LLP consultant Katherine Loayza spoke to the board on behalf of Texas Title […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Eco Development staff pitches city incentive plan for film producers
City of Austin Economic Development staff briefed City Council members Thursday on a proposed new set of incentives aimed at creative industries such as film, television and computer gaming. The package, set for a vote May 1, would offer production companies as much as a 0.75 percent rebate for salaries paid to local production staff. […]
Posted inDevelopment
Board rejects setback variance, says small house is too big for its lot
It’s a really small house, but according to members of the Board of Adjustment, it’s too big for the lot. A request for a second setback variance for an East Austin home failed to win sufficient support from the board last week, despite the fact that the house is already in place. Cayce Weems […]
Posted inDevelopment
ZAP rejects variance and zoning request for Del Valle development
Acknowledging staff concerns that a plan for a Del Valle development conflicted with one of the basic principles of Imagine Austin, the Zoning and Platting Commission rejected a variance and subdivision request Tuesday night. But Cuatro Consultants Engineer Hugo Elizondo said, “The neighborhood is very interested in this project. There is a real need […]