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 […]
Zoning
Posted inDevelopment, Housing, Zoning
Developer seeks creative class on Cameron Road
A developer is one step closer to building a median-priced apartment complex aimed at young artists on Cameron Road in Northeast Austin. At the Zoning and Platting Commission meeting Tuesday, commissioners unanimously approved a zoning change for the property at 9201 Cameron Road from limited industrial (LI) to commercial services, mixed-use (CS-MU). Nickelle Meade of […]
Posted inCity Council, Development, Zoning
Council plays fast and loose on Garza Tract vote
Those familiar with the previous City Council’s strict adherence to procedural rules have been left dizzy by the new Council’s first few meetings. Last week, during the Garza Ranch discussion about the maximum allowable number of vehicle trips per day on the tract, that confusion reached new heights — and after some investigation, the Austin […]
Posted inCity Council, Zoning
Council approves rezoning on North Lamar lot
Though Mayor Steve Adler warned that the first approval was “tenuous,” a North Lamar rezoning case will move forward after City Council members approved it on first reading Thursday. Council voted 9-2 to approve a rezoning at 11712 North Lamar Blvd., with Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo and Council Member Pio Renteria voting in opposition. […]
Posted inDevelopment, Housing, Zoning
Planners deny East Riverside change
At its most recent meeting, the Planning Commission voted 5-3 to deny zoning changes to several undeveloped lots from 5600 to 7522 Penick Drive, off East Riverside Drive. Ron Thrower of Thrower Design spoke for landowner Bill Greif and asked the commission to rezone the area from Single Family (SF-1) to Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU), which […]
Posted inAustin, Zoning
Planners look at big picture and deny rezoning
After taking a look at the impact of similar businesses nearby, the Planning Commission shot down a South Austin rezoning request at its last meeting. The 0.85 acre lot is located at 4102 and 4200 Manchaca Road. Owner Mitchell Whiddon is asking for a change from the current zoning, which is a combination of Limited […]
Posted inAustin, City Hall, Development, Environment, Water, Zoning
ZAP shoots down variances for Far West parcel
The Zoning and Platting Commission took a hard stance against several requested environmental variances that would allow an Austin resident to build a 3,500-square-foot home on a steep slope at 4316 Far West Blvd. Property owner Ali Tabrizi sought to build a single-family home on the parcel located within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and […]
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 inCity Council, Planning, Zoning
Angry neighbors welcome Council to zoning
City Council heard its first zoning case on Thursday night. The hours-long battle between neighborhood and development interests on Burnet Road was, most likely, an accurate welcome to the process. In the end, plans for a multifamily project at 8528 Burnet Road continue to crawl forward. The developer, C.J. Sackman of Sackman Enterprises, is asking […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Land Development Code, Planning, Zoning
Subcommittee seeks help for ADU changes
The Planning Commission Codes and Ordinances Subcommittee met Thursday to discuss amendments to a city ordinance regarding accessory dwelling units — apartments located on the same property as a house. But city staffer Ming-ru Chu could barely read through the proposed changes before members of the public and committee members were up in arms over […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Zoning
Council to postpone all this week’s zoning cases
After a lengthy discussion at Tuesday’s work session, City Council members decided — without voting — that they would postpone all zoning items on Thursday’s agenda in the expectation that they will have a better understanding of what they are voting on after their briefing on land use issues. Most of the conversation centered around the […]
Posted inCity Council, Development, Local Politics, Planning, Zoning
Zoning lesson raises questions for new Council
With single-member districts up and running, myriad changes are on the horizon at City Hall. Tuesday, some clues about how city staff will tackle the nuts-and-bolts of the transition emerged in what was a largely uneventful mock City Council meeting. As part of Council’s ongoing orientation, Planning and Development Review Department director Greg Guernsey explained […]