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Planning
Four city parcels ID'd for redevelopment focus in next budget
The Economic Development Department is recommending City Council spend the next budget year focusing on putting four pieces of city-owned property into higher use with mixtures of housing, commercial space, parklands and more. A recent memo detailed the department’s efforts…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 14, 2018
Despite need for housing, ZAP does not approve Southwest Austin subdivision
After the Environmental Commission failed to recommend the environmental suitability of a densely planned Southwest Austin subdivision due to traffic concerns, the preliminary plan for this development proceeded to the Zoning and Platting Commission. Much like the hearing in June,…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 9, 2018
Environmental Commission votes against tram, arguing for safety
Everyone knows the saying, “If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?” Well, spoiler alert, the answer should be no. Although that was not exactly the question that the Environmental Commission asked at its Aug. 1 meeting,…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 3, 2018
Seaholm Waterfront study produces a plan that PARD recommends
Seven years ago, the Seaholm Intake building along the shores of Lady Bird Lake was turned over to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, and it has since stood waiting for change. Now, after months of study, community input, and a…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 1, 2018
Board of Adjustment says yes to South Lamar student housing
On July 9, the Board of Adjustment approved the construction of a small university dormitory in the South Lamar neighborhood, despite the concerns of some neighbors that the proposed facility could create parking shortages on a narrow neighborhood street. The…
Planning • By Ryan Young • Jul 25, 2018
Critical water quality zone crossing approved for the second time
Sometimes for development projects, it’s the second time that’s the charm. Over a decade ago, developers of a 42-acre tract of land at 1322 W. Dittmar Road received a variance to construct a private drive across a critical water quality…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 25, 2018
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Views along scenic RM 2222 to remain unspoiled
At the July 9 Board of Adjustment meeting, the board rejected a variance request to adorn a scenic roadway with a monument. Park Centre, an office park located at 8601 RM 2222, sought to construct an additional “monument sign” for a…
Planning • By Ryan Young • Jul 20, 2018
Board of Adjustment fights over North Loop parking space
Parking was a major sticking point at the July 9 Board of Adjustment meeting, where board members tackled the lack of parking at one particular North Loop property, exposing a rift in Austin’s current transportation thinking. Lauren and Joe Cunningham…
Planning • By Ryan Young • Jul 18, 2018
Winnebago tract could blossom with Urban Roots agreement
The city is exploring a possible deal that would see the 9-acre East Austin parcel widely known as the Winnebago tract used as a site for urban farming, job training and possible collaboration with Austin’s arts community. Council approved a…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 13, 2018
Environmental Commission fails to approve variance based on traffic concerns
In a subdivision, how much density is too dense? Although not typically a question the Environmental Commission considers, it is one that became the crux of the discussion around a variance request at its June 20 meeting due to the…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 9, 2018
East side subdivision evokes legacy of racist deed restrictions
There wasn’t much the Planning Commission could do about the subdivision sought by the the owner of an acre of land at 4520 Rimrock Trail, near the Morris Williams Golf Course. The commission was legally required to approve the owner’s…
Planning • By Jack Craver • Jun 25, 2018
Board of Adjustment determines the price of a view is a variance
Given fierce opposition from a neighbor and unclear stories from an architect, a homeowner and an agent about how a home along the shores of Lake Austin was designed, 6705 Pixie Cove was once again shuffled back into the deck…
