Commercial enterprises are sprinkled throughout Brentwood, a residential neighborhood in North-Central Austin. However, the request for a zoning change to turn a residential home into a real estate office brought concerned residents to the Dec. 10 meeting of the Planning Commission to oppose the project. Bill Spiesman, from the Brentwood Neighborhood Plan Contact Team, told […]
Planning
Posted inPlanning
On third try, Commissioners Court approves controversial RV park near Hamilton Pool
For the third time, about two dozen residents who live on or near Stagecoach Ranch Road came to plead with the Travis County Commissioners Court to block plans to build an RV park that would accommodate up to 80 vehicles. After twice delaying action on the Bentree RV Resort, the court finally opted to approve […]
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Tourism Commission hears latest on convention center progress, homelessness funds
City staffers are engaged in talks with the owners of two and a half blocks of property located west of the Austin Convention Center in an attempt to learn what kinds of sales, leases or other property agreements can be executed to move forward with an ambitious expansion of the facility. The Tourism Commission received […]
Posted inPlanning
Industrial lot wins mixed-use zoning on second reading
Although Council Member Pio Renteria pushed for more affordable housing on a Southeast Austin site that is currently industrial, he made the motion to approve the compromise offered by attorney David Hartman at last week’s Council meeting. Before the vote, Jerry Rusthoven of the Planning and Zoning Department reminded Council that state law prohibits it […]
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Austin Humane Society moves forward with 15-year expansion plan
The Austin Humane Society has been in its current facilities for 25 years. However, as Austin continues to grow, the shelter finds itself in need of an expansion to accommodate its own increasing populations. “We’ve outgrown our space,” said Frances Jonon, CEO of the Austin Humane Society, at the Nov. 26 meeting of the Planning […]
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MLK crossing compromises Capitol Complex pedestrian concept
The Texas Capitol Complex is now well into the first phase of construction. Funding for the second of three phases was allocated during this year’s legislative session. The project lays out a grand vision of a “cultural gateway” linking the Texas Capitol to Bullock Texas State History Museum via a public pedestrian mall containing an […]
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Council approves amendments to city code and new floodplain maps
City Council has unanimously approved amendments to the city code redefining what constitutes the 25-year and 100-year floodplains in Austin. The changes also amend floodplain regulations and expand staff’s ability to approve residential redevelopment within the expanded floodplains. The proposed code changes are the result of Atlas 14, a historical rainfall study released by the […]
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West Campus overlay grows without Planning Commission expansion
The 2004 University Neighborhood Overlay district has made West Campus a strong contender for the most urban neighborhood in the city. City Council passed an amendment to the district Thursday that will help generate even more growth, but some of the residents who live there say it doesn’t go far enough. Rylan Maksoud, West Campus […]
Posted inPlanning
‘Statesman’ site moves forward while staffers work on financing, governance for district
City staff has offered the first round of comments and requests for more information on the redevelopment plans for the 18.9 acres of waterfront property currently occupied by the Austin American-Statesman, with the site seen as the centerpiece of the long-planned South Central Waterfront District. The master review report presented at last week’s meeting of […]
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Atlas 14 flood plain ordinance advances with residential improvements waiver
The Watershed Protection Department has crafted a way to help residents living in the city’s flood plain continue to make improvements to their homes as one component of an ordinance amending city floodplain regulations. The Planning Commission endorsed the proposal Tuesday, but some commissioners and environmental activists expressed reservations. Bobby Levinski, representing the Save Our […]
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Council OKs ‘Domain on Riverside’
After months of combative public hearings, City Council has approved the vast, controversial Eastside development nicknamed the “Domain on Riverside.” The 97-acre project promises to bring housing, retail, restaurants and offices to Riverside Drive and Pleasant Valley Boulevard. But the development will come at the expense of five existing apartment complexes that offer close-in affordable […]
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Developer turns variance process upside-down, asks Environmental Commission for ‘feedback’
In an unusual request, development lawyer Richard Suttle with Armbrust & Brown appeared before the Environmental Commission on Oct. 16 to ask not for a site plan variance, but for feedback on a possible upcoming one. “I’m anticipating needing to come back,” Suttle told the commissioners. He was hoping they would provide him with questions […]