What initially seemed like a small mistake could ultimately prove costly for one East Austin homeowner. Eastside resident Cayce Weems returned to the Board of Adjustment Monday asking for rear and side street setback for his house at 403 San Saba Street. Weems had previously gotten a variance for the house in December 2013, […]
Development
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission won’t amend NCCD to fix permit mistake
The Planning Commission has shot down a city staff scheme to fix a mistake that left a neighborhood business in limbo. Though the request was solely to initiate an amendment to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Conservation Combining District (NCCD,) the Planning Commission declined to wade into those waters at all. The commission voted unanimously […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Local Government, Transportation
Battle over SH45SW features argument between Biscoe and Bunch
The never-ending case of SH 45 Southwest has dogged County Judge Sam Biscoe for the past 25 years of his public life. But at Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting – with his December retirement date in sight – the normally reserved Biscoe publicly engaged several of his critics over the project. The proposed 3.6-mile, four-lane […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
New regulations are coming to Lake Austin, but not quickly.
Environmental Board members took a look at the proposed changes to the Lake Austin Ordinance last week and decided they needed a bit more time and information before they were ready to weigh in. The board voted to table any decision, and send the ordinance to its Water Quality Regulations committee. The panel plans vote […]
Posted inDevelopment
Panel debates future steps for Land Development Code rewrite
Some may think it’s moving too fast, and some may think it’s moving too slow, but most everyone agrees that the revision of the city’s Land Development Code continues to move toward what one stakeholder calls “difficult, necessary conversations.” The process has been branded CodeNEXT by the city, and at last week’s Comprehensive Planning […]
Posted inDevelopment
Board of Adjustment rules staff incorrectly determined address
Common sense prevailed at a specially called meeting of the Board of Adjustment Tuesday night. The board met to interpret whether staff had acted in error in issuing a building permit at 3110 Grandview Street, which is located in the Heritage Neighborhood. The lot is a “through lot” with frontage on two streets, and […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council to delay discussion of expanding city’s over-65 tax break
Austin City Council members are set to delay discussion of expanding the tax break for city residents who are 65 and over until March 20. According to Council Member Bill Spelman, the delay comes at the request of Mayor Lee Leffingwell, who will miss today’s meeting. Meanwhile, city staff offered answers to a September […]
Posted inDevelopment
Standards Commission imposes hefty fine for neglected house
Austin’s Code Compliance Department is making efforts to resolve outstanding cases involving dilapidated homes, but some members of the city’s Building and Standards Commission say the department’s fines are too high, and the city should take more responsibility for homes that have fallen under the radar. In a vote of 5-2, the commission voted […]
Posted inDevelopment
Landmark Commission backs historic status for Clarksville house
The house that once belong to a beloved Clarksville activist may be preserved against its owner’s wishes if the Historic Landmark Commission and the neighborhood have their way. Commission members remained steadfast in their conviction that the Baylor house at 1607 West Tenth Street should have historic zoning, voting 5-0 to move forward with […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council makes late changes to Downtown Density Program
There were big changes at the last minute for the city’s Downtown Density Bonus Program Thursday night. City Council voted 7-0 to codify community benefits of the Downtown Density Bonus Program not relating to affordability. They also voted to include the Rainey Street area in the program and establish an affordable housing land trust […]
Posted inDevelopment
Council OKs extension of Pressler Street through Lamar Beach
Despite safety concerns expressed by neighborhood residents, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution Thursday to extend Pressler Street by 980 feet, through Lamar Beach parkland. The proposed extension would create a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly alternative route from the Old West Austin Neighborhood to West Cesar Chavez Street. During a public hearing before the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Design Commission mandates right of way upgrade for condo project
A developer planning a 163-unit condominium project downtown near Shoal Creek is finding that flood plain requirements are making it difficult to comply with the city’s urban design guidelines. The Austin Design Commission voted unanimously Monday to require developer Riverside Resources to modify its plan for a 37-story condo building on the corner of […]