Opponents of a bid to develop Balcones Country Club land won a unanimous victory at the Zoning and Platting Commission last week. The Balcones Country Club Membership Association brought forward the proposal to rezone four lots from Rural Residential to SF-1. Currently, the land is undeveloped and considered part of the Balcones Country Club […]
Development
Posted inDevelopment
Controversial vested rights ordinance wins commission approval
After a slight delay, the city’s new Vested Rights Ordinance, formerly known as the Project Duration Ordinance, is headed to City Council with the unanimous blessing from the Planning Commission. However, it remains controversial. Council members have already discussed the ordinance in executive session, and are expected to vote on it at their Oct. […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government, Transportation
Watson: Shorting Texas transportation needs hurts state’s future
State Senator Kirk Watson offered attendees at Wednesday’s Austin Chamber of Commerce’s State of Transportation lunch a steady diet of road talk. Though Watson did briefly mention the importance of other regional transportation modes during the course of a roughly 30-minute speech, his focus stayed firmly on pavement. Watson framed the issue in terms […]
Posted inDevelopment, Uncategorized
Landmark Commission OKs historic zoning for Commodore Perry estate
The Historic Landmark Commission unanimously recommended historic zoning for the 1928 Commodore Perry estate at last month’s meeting, despite neighborhood fears that the designation is part of a larger, more nefarious scheme. The matter must now move on to the Planning Commission and the City Council. Though the entire property is on the National […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Eastside juice bar gets go-ahead despite some Council misgivings
Despite hand-wringing over the prospect of a drive-though in far East Austin, a modest juice bar proposal emerged unscathed from City Council consideration last week. “Here’s a guy trying to make a go of a small business. Everybody knows that he is going to get more business if he has this extra capability to […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council clarifies affordability calculations on PUD Ordinance
Moving with a swiftness seldom seen at City Hall, City Council members approved changes to the city’s Planned Unit Development Ordinance at last week’s meeting. Council voted 5-2 to approve the new ordinance, with Council Members Kathie Tovo and Laura Morrison voting in opposition. The changes are a result of a lack of […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council to add 7 new members to Buildings-Standards Commission
Austin City Council members Thursday took the first steps toward a larger Building and Standards Commission – one that would, theoretically, be able to better handle a hefty volume of building code violations. Council members unanimously offered tentative approval of the addition of seven members to the Commission. The move would bring the total […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics, Uncategorized
Delay sought for Density Bonus plans for Rainey Street
Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole plans to delay an item on today’s Austin City Council agenda that seeks to reconcile the city’s new Downtown Density Bonus program with one in place in the exploding Rainy Rainey Street area. With the postponement, staff will have the opportunity to further delve into the issue. “I want to […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Business owner wants city’s help to get rid of his junkyard business
In an unusual turn of events, the owner of a northwest Austin junkyard brought his concerns about the environmental impact of his business to City Council last week, and urged them to help him get rid of it. The situation came to light during a public hearing for the full-purpose annexation of the Ace […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Local Politics
New Watershed Protection Ordinance up for Council consideration
Austin City Council members may offer only limited approval to a series of dramatic changes to the city’s Watershed Protection Ordinance. The rewrite, a document that exchanges small allowances of additional impervious cover for more protection of the city’s creek watersheds – among other items – is set for a vote and public hearing on […]
Posted inDevelopment, Transportation
Proposal explores Urban Rail funding options through TOD zones
An item proposed by Council Members Mike Martinez and Chris Riley that, in part, creates a restricted fund to draw development-based dollars from construction around rail stations drew some concern from Council Member Laura Morrison Tuesday. If approved, the Martinez and Riley hope that the fund, accessible to Capital Metro, would help pay for a […]
Posted inDevelopment
Dove Springs group wants fresh food, limited alcohol at new store
Representatives from the Dove Springs community and Austin Interfaith are hoping that a zoning change can be a positive one, as they continue to work with the property owner to help create a small oasis in one of the city’s food deserts. Neighborhood residents are also concerned about creation of yet another place to purchase […]