Austin City Council members Thursday unanimously approved a measure that kicks off changes to the occupancy limits for Austin residences. When completed, the move could drop the allowed number of unrelated adults living in one place from the current limitation of six to four. But Council Member Kathie Tovo’s more ambitious set of proposals failed […]
Development
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
After long debate, Council OKs changes to Urban Farm Ordinance
After hours of discussion, the City Council approved changes to the Urban Farm Ordinance Thursday night, giving East Austin neighborhoods a victory in the battle to stop or prevent slaughtering of fowl and rabbits in single-family neighborhoods—the most important of their demands. The final vote was unanimous. Farmers in single-family neighborhoods were also […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Urban Farm stakeholders try to cut deal on chicken slaughtering
With Council members set to vote on an ordinance that would memorialize city policy in regard to urban farms, at least two stakeholders were pitching a compromise over the hotly contested issue Wednesday afternoon. It remained unclear, however, whether their efforts would win Council approval. Planning Commissioner Richard Hatfield and HausBar Farms owner Dorsey […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Uncategorized
Tovo now pushing for three rental registration programs for city
Council Member Kathie Tovo continued Tuesday to try to persuade her colleagues to approve what are now three separate additional rental registration programs for areas that have been deemed to host problematic rental properties. Those regions include the North Austin Civic Association/Restore Rundberg section, the East Riverside area, and certain portions of central Austin […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Developers take concerns over Vested Rights Ordinance to Council
Key players in Austin’s development community brought their concerns about the potential outcome of an upcoming Austin City Council vote on a new Vested Rights Ordinance to Tuesday’s Council work session. There, they expressed concerns that fundamental portions of the new set of regulations would not leave enough space for properly considered projects. “We […]
Posted inDevelopment
City studies occupancy limits as latest way to curb stealth dorms
Once again, the city is attempting to tackle stealth dorms. This time they are looking toward a reduction in occupancy rates as one tool to fix the problem. The proposed code amendment would reduce the maximum number of unrelated adults in a single-family structure from six to four. Critics worry that the change could […]
Posted inDevelopment
Burnet Road bar seeks compromise with Allandale neighborhood
The fight over Little Woodrow’s on Burnet Road isn’t over yet. Though the proposed Little Woodrow’s Bar at 5425 Burnet Road managed to earn a zoning change in March, the owners still need a Conditional Use Permit to operate. Since winning the protracted zoning battle at City Council, the restaurant and bar has been […]
Posted inDevelopment
Longtime Ridgetop business gains zoning support to add offices
Tomlinson’s Feed and Pet store near Airport Boulevard won support from the Planning Commission for construction of a new office space last week after finding a work-around to a slow-moving regulating plan. Ron Thrower of Thrower Design said that his client was seeking a change from single-family to Community Commercial (GR) zoning in order […]
Posted inDevelopment, Public Safety
City promises local funding for 115 homes destroyed by flooding
City officials are disputing charges made by an ad hoc relief group last week that funding may not be available to buy out 115 Onion Creek area homes damaged or destroyed in the Halloween floods. However, both City of Austin and Travis County officials say the wheels of government can sometimes move slowly, and […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission backs zoning change for Hancock area hotel
Plans for a boutique hotel at the 1928 Commodore Perry Estate sailed through the Planning Commission Tuesday night, despite opposition from the Hancock Neighborhood Association. Commissioners unanimously approved the zoning request in an 8-0, vote, with Commissioner Dannette Chimenti absent. “It’s obviously a very contentious case. It’s a difficult site for a lot […]
Posted inDevelopment, Resources
Council panel reveals early list of Google Connections finalists
Members of the Council’s Emerging Technology and Telecommunications Committee Wednesday offered a preliminary list of finalists for the Google Community Connections program. If eventually approved by the full Council — and OK’d by Google – those entities that remain on the list will receive Google’s ultra-high speed Internet service at no cost. City Telecommunications […]
Posted inDevelopment
Commission recommends zoning change for 13-acre tract in South Austin
With Election Night activities going on elsewhere, the Zoning and Platting Commission had a quiet meeting Tuesday, focusing on a single case in Southwest Austin. The Sawmill Drive property that the panel considered is just northwest of the Oak Parke Subdivision and south of Bowie High School. Currently zoned Interim Rural Residence, the lot […]