A band of Clarksville residents won their first victory at the Historic Landmark Commission last week. They found unanimous support for historic zoning on a house that they say is integral to their community’s history. The commission voted 5-0 to initiate historic zoning at 1607 West 10th Street, despite protests from the new owner, who […]
Development
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Little Woodrow’s on Burnet survives two-year fight to serve alcohol
It certainly wasn’t easy, but the Little Woodrow’s bar on Burnet Road now has the right to serve alcohol. The City Council granted an appeal late Thursday, permitting liquor sales and a waiver that allows parking closer to residential buildings than otherwise allowed. After a lengthy discussion the Council approved that appeal in a […]
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Groups petition federal court to join city’s White Lodging lawsuit
An attorney representing the Workers Defense Project filed legal documents Saturday that ask a U.S. District Court judge to allow the workers center and the Save Our Springs Alliance to become party to ongoing legal action between the City of Austin and White Lodging Services Corporation. In the documents, Brian McGiverin of the Texas […]
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Complaint targets city’s role in promoting fair housing
A citizen’s complaint filed with the City Of Austin Thursday is demanding that officials take steps to reverse the city’s “patterns of housing segregation established during its origins as a racist, Southern city,” and take immediate action to end de facto housing segregation. Among other things, complainants argue that Austin should get rid of […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs building regulations to enhance disabled accessibility
After multiple tries, Austin City Council members finally OK’d a series of new regulations designed to make new construction in the City of Austin more accessible to the disabled. The rules, collected under a visitability ordinance, are set to take effect July 1, 2015. They mandate, among other items, that most entrances and bathrooms be […]
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Lower maximum occupancy limits continue to race toward Council
After several attempts at a compromise on lowering maximum occupancy limits, the Planning Commission ultimately struck upon a solution Tuesday night that earned unanimous support. On an 8-0 vote, the commission recommended a citywide occupancy limit of four unrelated people, placing a two-year limit on the change. That time would allow for a solution […]
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City staff identifies financial options to assist small businesses
A City Council committee this week backed a staff report recommending four financial and payment assistance options for the full Council to consider to help small business contractors and subcontractors cope with meeting City of Austin living-wage requirements. Staff recommendations include two options for making loans available to small business contractors and two ideas for […]
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ZAP grants extension of site plan to build 397-unit project
With only four members on the dais, the Zoning and Platting Commission granted a neighborhood appeal of an extension of a site plan review by default last week. Commissioners voted 3-1 to deny the appeal, but because they need a minimum of 4 votes to take action, that vote amounted to an approval of […]
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Board of Adjustment postpones request to ease setbacks on lot
A variance request for an empty lot in South Austin was met with questions from the Board of Adjustment at a recent meeting. Jennifer Garcia of Kimball Bruehl Garcia Estes was representing property owner Robert Lee, requesting a variance for a project slated at 2002 Glen Allen Street. In order to complete the project, […]
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Planning Commission opposes church’s expansion of parking lot
Though there were hopes that it could help alleviate parking troubles on South Congress Avenue, the Planning Commission shot down a zoning change request by the Congress Avenue Baptist Church at the commission’s most recent meeting. The next stop for the request is the City Council. The church at 1511 South Congress Avenue was […]
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Council members discuss plan to put dog park in industrial area
The City Council discussed and postponed action Thursday on what could be a controversial new dog park located in an industrial complex in southeast Austin. The proposed park, located off Winnebago Lane in the Missouri-Pacific Industrial Complex, would be, as of now, void of any pedestrian access and only accessible by driving through the industrial […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council members approve $15 million in bond funds for housing
Austin City Council members Thursday signed off on $15 million in bond funds for the city’s Neighborhood Housing Department. Their approval marks the first use of the $65 million in affordable housing bonds approved by voters in November 2013 to the department that will administer its use. In so doing, Council members approved funds […]