The Atlas 14 study conducted by the National Weather Service indicated that in the immediate future, Central Texas is likely to experience more powerful storm events that will increase flooding by 30 percent. Last fall’s major floods turned scientific conjecture into observable reality. Now Atlas 14 has rendered the city of Austin’s current flood maps out […]
Planning
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission recommends SOS amendment for private development
Under the Save Our Springs Ordinance, which was passed in 1992, all land in the Barton Springs Zone is subject to increased development regulation in order to protect the water quality of the springs and the Edwards Aquifer. One of the stipulations of this increased scrutiny is that variances to development restriction are expressly prohibited. […]
Posted inPlanning
Plan for ‘Statesman’ site precedes PUD amendment, push for funding options
The development team in charge of the waterfront property that houses the Austin American-Statesman newspaper plans to file an amendment to a planned unit development proposal for the site in the coming weeks, kicking off an expected year of negotiations for the central piece of South Congress Avenue. At last week’s South Central Waterfront Advisory […]
Posted inPlanning
BoA says project’s affordable housing is a token gesture
In Austin, “affordable housing” has become a magical phrase that is repeatedly heard within the walls of City Hall. Although affordable housing is undoubtedly needed in the city, the Board of Adjustment indicated that it’s fed up with this phrase being used as a bargaining chip for increased development entitlements. “I will not barter affordable […]
Posted inPlanning
Lack of notification brings case back to BoA
After the Board of Adjustment quickly approved a variance with hearty support last month to allow an increase in building height from 40 to 50 feet for the construction of a cultural center, the property at 810½ San Marcos St. came back before the board on a technicality. The Guadalupe Association for an Improved Neighborhood […]
Posted inPlanning
Flooding concerns prevent BoA from approving increased impervious cover
When it comes to drainage controls, how much of a good thing is too much? The answer is, when drainage control threatens to heighten flood risk due to the increase in impervious cover required for its installation. Jason Asbury came on behalf of Homex Partners to the Board of Adjustment’s June 10 meeting to ask […]
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ZAP recommends allowing cellphone tower on church property
Data use on cell phones has become so ubiquitous that Verizon Wireless is finding some of its towers overwhelmed by capacity. One area Verizon is unable to adequately serve is in North Austin at the Parmer Lane and MoPac Expressway area. To help alleviate 126 percent over-capacity of cellular data usage this past April, Vincent […]
Posted inPlanning
Waterfront planners push real estate leaders on district’s potential, future
For roughly half a decade, whenever Alan Holt has talked with community members about the scope of the planned South Central Waterfront District – a 118-acre span that could fit 33 city blocks – his shorthand was that it included “everything from Hooters to Joe’s Crab Shack.” On Wednesday morning, Holt, a planner with the […]
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City eyes Palm School, bigger convention center
City Council Member Kathie Tovo, with assistance from Mayor Steve Adler, has produced a 23-page resolution outlining Council’s desire to create a plan for the southeast part of downtown, including use of the Palm School for cultural programming and expansion of the city’s convention center. The resolution is set for consideration on Council’s May 23 […]
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Code rewrite leaves little room for small area planning pilot
City Council will not be taking action Thursday on a resolution intended to direct City Manager Spencer Cronk to initiate a pilot small area planning project on North Lamar Boulevard between Tech Ridge Transit Center and U.S. Highway 183. Although the pilot includes portions of District 4, Council Member Greg Casar pulled the item for […]
Posted inPlanning
Streamlined housing plan comes to Council
In keeping with its commitment to increase Austin’s affordable housing stock, Council will consider an ordinance Thursday which will eliminate certain requirements that currently apply to all new housing, affordable as well as market rate. Under a new program called Affordability Unlocked, affordable housing developments would be able to add more units by eliminating requirements […]
Posted inPlanning
Planning commissioners strike heritage tree compromise
When it comes to preserving heritage trees, when should development take precedence? That was the question planning commissioners sought to answer at their most recent meeting, where developers of a property at 2111 Rio Grande St. were seeking variances to uproot two heritage trees in order to make way for student housing. The Planning Commission […]