A development near Lake Travis brought a contentious public hearing to Tuesday’s Travis County Commissioners Court. A developer is looking to create a detached-condominium subdivision tentatively called the Summit at Lake Travis. The project is slated for land off Bee Creek Road approximately two miles north of SH 71 abutting three other neighborhoods, Inverness […]
Development
Posted inDevelopment
ZAP backs compromise with developer, neighborhood on duplexes
Brokering a compromise between worried neighbors and developers, the Zoning and Platting Commission last week asked that plans for a duplex development in far South Austin be scaled back. The owners, Brian and Geryl Winterowd, were seeking a change from SF-2 zoning to SF-3 zoning at 2507 Mitchell Lane. In addition to the base […]
Posted inDevelopment
Commission initiates code amendment for small lot amnesty
Modifications to the city’s small lot amnesty policy continue to move forward, with a code amendment now on the horizon. The Planning Commission voted unanimously at its last meeting to initiate the code amendment, which will clarify that the small lot amnesty infill tool is intended to allow new development or redevelopment of an […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Local Politics
City buying Circle C area golf course, preventing development
Congratulations, Austinites, you are the new owners of the Grey Rock Golf Course and Tennis Facility. In a vote of 6-1, the City Council voted Thursday to purchase the Southwest Austin course, for $9.6 million dollars. For that price, the city will own 292 acres, which is about 180 acres of golf course, and […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Split Council rejects high-dollar condos in low-income neighborhood
In a 4-3 vote, the Austin City Council narrowly denied a zoning change to allow for condos on a plot of land at 600 Kemp St., a small road that runs perpendicular to Montopolis Drive. Council Members Laura Morrison, Mike Martinez, Bill Spelman and Kathie Tovo voted against the new zoning. Before the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs raising tax break for seniors, disabled to $70,000
For the first time in decades, the Austin City Council has raised the property tax exemption for homeowners who are disabled or 65 years or older. The Council voted 5-2 to raise the property tax exemption from $51,000 to $70,000. Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Bill Spelman voted in opposition to the change, […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs lower occupancy limits for new housing
Austin City Council members Thursday approved a downward adjustment in occupancy limits citywide, a move that drops the maximum number of unrelated adults that can live at a given address from six to four. The vote was 6-1 with Council Member Bill Spelman casting the lone ‘no’ vote. Existing houses and duplexes will not […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Resources
Water, wastewater service approved despite objections
Austin City Council members Thursday found themselves boxed into approving water and wastewater service for a development in the drinking water protection zone along FM 620. The extension passed on a 7-0 vote after staff impressed upon Council members the reality of their legal status with regard to the case. Council Member Bill Spelman […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council set to discuss hike for seniors’ tax exemption, may put off action
Two, and possibly three, Austin City Council members appear willing to postpone approval of an increase in the property tax exemption for Austin residents who are 65 and older. The item is currently set for action as part of Council’s today’s agenda. Council Member Mike Martinez, who was careful to give his staff credit […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Local Politics, Transportation
Travis Commissioners vote to spend $15 million on SH45 SW
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved spending $15 million in county funds Tuesday toward a plan to extend the southwest portion of State Highway 45 from the end of MoPac Boulevard to FM 1626. The vote fulfilled Travis County’s part of a plan to accelerate construction of the road by the end of this year […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Board of Adjustment to look at tram regulations on Lake Austin
The Board of Adjustment will take a closer look at whether trams should be allowed on Lake Austin, even if they have to take a longer route to get there. The subject arose at last week’s board’s meeting when engineer Bruce Aupperle asked the board to grant a variance for a “pedestrian incline elevator” […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council approves zoning changes for Rob Roy multifamily project
Despite the opposition of neighborhood residents, the City Council voted unanimously on March 6 to approve changes to land use rules that would allow developers to build a multifamily project. Rob Roy residents were on hand at last week’s Council meeting to register their opposition to a zoning change that would advance the project. […]