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- 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
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Development
Austin's neighbors lead the country in population growth (again)
Four of the top five fastest-growing cities in the U.S. are in Texas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Georgetown tops the list, as it did last year, with Kyle and Leander in the No. 3 and 4 spots, respectively.…
Development • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 19, 2023
Austin is opening a temporary homeless shelter in Southeast Austin
In light of a growing need for emergency shelter, Austin is repurposing a city-owned warehouse space in Southeast Austin to temporarily house 300 people experiencing homelessness. In a city memo out late last week, interim City Manager Jesús Garza said a portion…
Housing • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 16, 2023
Planning Commission reverses interpretation of environmental rules, allowing housing project to advance
The Planning Commission on Tuesday overruled an interpretation of environmental rules by city staffers, allowing a multifamily project to move forward at the intersection of Ben White and South Lamar boulevards. At issue was a disagreement over how a combination…
Development • By Jonathan Lee • May 15, 2023
Salvation Army's downtown homeless shelter is being sold and redeveloped
The Salvation Army is selling the site of its shelter for homeless Austinites downtown. The shelter shut down abruptly last month. The national nonprofit retained the developer CBRE to sell the site, which is expected to fetch millions. Salvation Army Austin…
Development • By Andrew Weber, KUT • May 12, 2023
Planning Commission rethinks ‘stealth dorm’ occupancy limits
In 2014, City Council passed the so-called “stealth dorm” ordinance, which lowered occupancy limits to prevent large groups of students from living together in single-family homes. On Tuesday, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to reconsider occupancy limits in hopes of…
Housing • By Jonathan Lee • May 11, 2023
Neighborhood groups warn of bill to limit, kill city regulations
Members of two neighborhood coalitions have been contacting members of the Texas House to alert them to what they perceive as an especially dangerous bill, one that could strip cities throughout the state, as well as counties and special districts,…
Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • May 10, 2023
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Erwin Center demolition marks latest change in ever-shifting health care district
Demolition of the Frank Erwin Center arena on the University of Texas campus is expected to begin next month, following approval last week from UT leaders to move ahead with the $25 million teardown of the longtime home for both…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • May 9, 2023
Rezoning on Anderson Mill won’t allow for used car lot
City Council last week rejected a rezoning request from the owners of property on Anderson Mill Road that would have allowed them to open a used car lot on the property. However, Council Member Mackenzie Kelly offered to help Ramin…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • May 9, 2023
City to calculate housing gains possible with new building height compatibility rules
City staff members are moving ahead with analyzing how a change to area building height compatibility requirements could disrupt the local housing market. The analysis, which was called for as part of a December resolution by City Council that was…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • May 8, 2023
Council aims to make subdividing property easier
In a move aimed at increasing housing supply, City Council on Thursday passed a resolution to make it easier and cheaper to subdivide properties. Council Member Ryan Alter, the sponsor of the resolution, said that splitting land into multiple lots…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • May 8, 2023
Demolitions get green light at historically brief Historic Landmark Commission meeting
An unusually brief meeting took place at City Hall last Wednesday, with the Historic Landmark Commission bidding adieu to a number of aging properties with little fanfare. The first of two properties approved for demolition was 1904 Raleigh Ave., a…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • May 8, 2023
Council votes to get rid of parking requirements
City Council on Thursday directed city staff to eliminate parking requirements from the city’s land use regulations outside the central business district. The city eliminated downtown parking requirements, except for spaces for those with disabilities, in 2013. Thursday’s resolution would…