Newsletter Signup
The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.
Most Popular Stories
- HUD cuts could endanger portion of more than $15M in federal housing funds
- Austin Transit Partnership presents pedestrian features, changes to stops in revised Project Connect plan
- Austin’s new CapMetro Rapid lines debut with buses every 20 minutes
- Amid ongoing measles concerns, Austin ISD’s vaccination rate is below target for its youngest students
- Under threat of a federal freeze, city staff says they’re staying the course on infrastructure grants
-
Discover News By District
-
Development
HealthSouth redevelopment stalls over affordable apartments proposed
The redevelopment of the former HealthSouth hospital property downtown appears to be at a standstill, with the Economic Development Department recommending the termination of a negotiating agreement with the Aspen Heights Partners development group. In a memo published Wednesday, Assistant…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Jun 30, 2023
Brentwood multifamily project secures Planning Commission support for rezoning
The Planning Commission on June 13 voted unanimously to rezone a collection of properties in Brentwood to allow mixed-use housing. Developer Narrow Road Group plans to build approximately 350 housing units on the 2.44-acre site bounded by Clay Avenue, Houston…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Jun 30, 2023
Effort to reimagine Congress Avenue hits design benchmark
The city’s Downtown Commission heard an update on the Congress Avenue redesign project at its regular meeting last week. The Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative is a partnership between the city of Austin and the Downtown Austin Alliance to reimagine…
Planning • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 27, 2023
Commissioners OK one more mixed-use site on tiny South Austin street
Members of the Planning Commission on June 13 voted unanimously to recommend changing the zoning on two small properties at 1705 and 1707 Evergreen Avenue, just off South Lamar Boulevard, to accommodate business uses and workforce housing. If approved by…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Jun 27, 2023
What Austin and Travis County learned about rental assistance during the pandemic
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Austin and Travis County had no overarching infrastructure in place for distributing rental assistance or otherwise supporting low-income families at risk of eviction. Then, millions of people across industries lost their sources of…
Housing • By Nina Hernandez • Jun 22, 2023
East Austin demolition forces landmark commission to grapple with higher powers
Though their comments held no official weight, Historic Landmark Commission members had things to say about a state law that prohibits the city from intervening in the demolition or relocation of buildings owned by religious organizations. Kalan Contreras of the…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 22, 2023
Subscribe to our newsletter
Landmark commission pushes for ‘partnership’ on Sixth Street redevelopment
Despite trepidation from developers, the Historic Landmark Commission has recommended a heftier review process for Sixth Street properties slated to be redeveloped under proposed regulations. The code amendments, which were initiated by City Council in June 2022, could raise height…
Land Development Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Jun 21, 2023
City code amendments moving slowly, including change to parking requirements
Remember all those amendments to Austin’s land use regulations that City Council directed city staff to write – ideas that seem particularly important in light of the housing shortage? They’re moving slowly. Those amendments include eliminating parking requirements from the…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Jun 20, 2023
Housing and Planning Department maps out next steps following compatibility reform vote
Following City Council’s move last week to recalibrate compatibility requirements, city staff joined the Housing and Planning Committee on Tuesday for an update on what’s next. Currently, Austin’s compatibility standards affect development up to 540 feet from lots zoned as…
Planning • By Kali Bramble • Jun 16, 2023
Changes proposed for huge tower project on West Avenue
City Council last week postponed hearing a controversial zoning case for a property on the shores of Shoal Creek, at the request of neighbors. Developer Manifold Real Estate is requesting a zoning change for 506 and 508 West Avenue, from…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Jun 15, 2023
Borden Dairy plant rezoning approved on second reading despite objections
The massive Borden Dairy plant redevelopment moved one step closer to approval on Thursday, when City Council passed a rezoning associated with the project on second reading. The project would bring 1,400 residential units, a 220-room hotel, 411,500 square feet…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Jun 13, 2023
Council proposes allowing more homes in single-family zoning
City Council on Thursday voted to create a program that would allow more homes on single-family lots, as long as some homes are priced affordably. “What we are trying to accomplish here, from a high level, is to create an…
