It may have taken a couple of years, but the Historic Landmark Commission has given its blessing to plans for four new duplexes on the lot of a historic home in the North University neighborhood. Cater Joseph was asking permission to demolish an outbuilding, garage and carport in order to construct the duplexes at 305 […]
Preservation
Posted inPreservation, Zoning
Possible strip club makes museum wary of deck
With a proposed Congress Avenue strip club drawing fire from groups across the city, it might not be the right time for other tenants of 422 Congress Ave. to ask for changes. Though the owners of Shiner’s Saloon explained that they had nothing to do with any strip clubs, last week their Historic Landmark Commission […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Housing, Land Development Code, Planning, Preservation, Uncategorized, Zoning
Explainer: The Zucker Report marginalia
There was a lot of unveiling in the Zucker Report. We saw that a third-party analysis of the City of Austin’s Planning and Development Review Department did, indeed, show what appears as evidence of multiple divisions in shambles, as had been suggested for some time by department patrons. And, no doubt, there will be plenty […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Planning, Preservation
Planning Commission OKs Red Bluff Hotel variance
The Planning Commission approved a variance Tuesday that allows the developer of a proposed hotel on Red Bluff Road to build within the primary setbacks of the property, much to the dismay of neighboring residents. Commissioners had previously approved two of the three variances requested by the property owner, Red Bluff Partners LLC, at a […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Development, Planning, Preservation, Zoning
Council limits Spicewood Springs project footprint
City Council voted Thursday to approve a zoning change that would allow a new professional office building on Spicewood Springs Road. Council limited the size of the structure to 12,000 square feet, despite protests from the applicants. The vote was 10-0, as Mayor Steve Adler recused himself, saying his law firm had dealings with one […]
Posted inPreservation
West Austin demo leaves preservationists cold
It may not be the worst-case scenario, but residents of Old West Austin still showed up to protest the demolition of a 100-year-old house that will soon be replaced by an ultra-modern residence. The 1917 house, which is located at 1208 West Eighth St., is a contributing structure in the Old West Austin Historic District. […]
Posted inAustin, Preservation
Bluebonnet Hills district gets go-ahead … again
For a second time in as many months, the Historic Landmark Commission has endorsed the creation of the Bluebonnet Hills preservation district. Though the commission already voted to recommend the district in November, there was a noticing error for that hearing, and commissioners were asked to hold the hearing a second time. On Monday, they […]
Posted inAustin, Preservation
New preservation district on hold after staff error
The Bluebonnet Hills preservation district will be returning to the Historic Landmark Commission this month, after a determination that the city did not give proper notice for the hearing. When the district was before the Historic Landmark Commission in November, neighbor Arif Panju raised an objection to the short notice he had received and asked […]
Posted inAustin, Preservation
Commission seeks to preserve Tarrytown home
On Monday, the Historic Landmark Commission pushed to preserve a Tarrytown house. Its owners would like to see it gone. Though commissioners had the option of postponing the case to allow for more research, Commissioner Terri Myers instead urged her colleagues to “go for the gusto” and initiate historic zoning. That initiation passed unanimously. The house, […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Preservation
Council OKs landmark status for Red River house
Those worried that one of Austin’s most beloved houses was destined for demolition could rest easy over the weekend. Despite the owner’s objections, the Austin City Council voted last week to make the Red River International House a historic landmark. Council voted 6-1 to preserve the house, with only Council Member Mike Martinez voting in […]
Posted inDevelopment, Preservation
Sushi concept too raw for Landmark Commission
The Historic Landmark Commission has postponed a request to enhance the rooftop deck of Austin’s oldest warehouse district building, after they heard promises that plans for a sushi restaurant could be toned down. Nelson Davis Warehouse, located at 117 W. 4th St., might best be known as the former home of the Old Spaghetti Warehouse. […]
Posted inPreservation, Transit
Landmark Commission delays fate of Pine Street
The future of East Austin’s Pine Street Station will remain in limbo for at least another month after last week’s postponement of a grass-roots bid for historic landmark designation. Though the Historic Landmark Commission again discussed the buildings at Fifth and Waller streets, the case was postponed again. Following public outcry about the proposed demolition […]