The Planning Commission on May 24 endorsed Vertical-Mixed Use (VMU) zoning for a parcel along East 51st Street where a developer plans to build up to 249 residential units. The rezoning concerns a 4-acre tract at 5525 E. 51st St., near U.S. Highway 183. Ledgestone Development Group requests to add a VMU designation to the […]
Zoning
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Planning Commission nearly derails East Austin townhome project
A townhome project requesting to build closer to single-family homes than typically allowed nearly fell through Tuesday, when the Planning Commission lacked enough votes to approve the requested variance. The developer of the seven-unit project at 1400 Cedar Ave. originally asked to build within five feet of its north and west property line – closer […]
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Hancock project to house the homeless sails through Planning Commission
The Planning Commission unanimously supported a zoning change Tuesday that would allow the construction of housing for people exiting homelessness in the Hancock neighborhood. A group of affordable housing developers hopes to rezone three lots at 1004-1008 E. 39th St. to Multifamily-Moderate Density (MF-4-NP) in order to build 100 units of permanent supportive housing, an […]
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More homes on the way to substandard Rogers Lane
Rogers Lane, a steep, narrow road in East Austin, has seen substantial development recently. On Tuesday, the Zoning and Platting Commission heard a rezoning case that could bring 107 additional units to the street, drawing concern from some residents. The rezoning covers 17 acres of vacant land at 7902 W. Rogers Lane & 4708 Rogers […]
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Planning Commission recommends rezoning amid ‘heartwrenching’ testimony
A case at the Planning Commission Tuesday highlighted the vulnerability of renters amid Austin’s rapid growth, as older apartment buildings are increasingly torn down to make way for new development. At issue is the Old Homestead apartment complex, an 80-year-old, 16-unit building at 1120 and 1124 Clayton Lane. Developer JCI Residential seeks a zoning change […]
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Montopolis project gets Council go-ahead
City Council approved a rezoning Thursday that will bring affordable housing for women and children experiencing homelessness to the Montopolis neighborhood. The rezoning from Family Residence (SF-3-NP) to Multifamily-Moderate Density (MF-4-NP), which Council approved on all three readings, will allow approximately 75 homes on a 3-acre site at 1013 and 1017 Montopolis Drive. Twenty percent […]
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Mixed-use project with affordable units coming near Mueller, pending rezoning
The Planning Commission Tuesday supported a rezoning request for a 143-unit, mixed-income, mixed-use development near the Mueller neighborhood. The rezoning concerns two tracts: a 1.2-acre property at 2015 E M. Franklin Ave., home to Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In, and a vacant 2.8-acre parcel at 2011 E.M. Franklin. The developer, Anmol Mehra, requests Neighborhood Commercial-Mixed […]
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Planning Commission prods developer to talk with tenants facing displacement
Tenants don’t often speak at public meetings on zoning cases that affect them. But when they do, people seem to listen. At least that was the case Tuesday when the Planning Commission heard from Andrew McKenna, a North Austin resident unsure where he’ll move should the city approve a proposal to redevelop the apartment complex […]
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ZAP divided on rezoning for neighborhood bar on Menchaca
The Zoning and Platting Commission disagreed Tuesday on a request to zone a South Austin property to allow liquor sales and commercial use amid concern from neighbors over noise and traffic. The rezoning concerns a 5-acre tract at 11530 Menchaca Road, near the city limits. The applicant, represented by Jim Wittliff, wants Commercial-Liquor Sales (CS-1) […]
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Zoning battle ends in victory for Grady and Brownie project
More condos and retail space are coming to North Austin following City Council’s approval of a contentious zoning case last Thursday. Despite neighborhood opposition backed by a valid petition, Council unanimously approved zoning changes for the Grady & Brownie mixed-use project on Brownie Drive and Middle Fiskville Road. The supermajority vote will rezone two lots […]
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Council approves St. Elmo zoning with promise of affordable housing
City Council gave its final blessing Thursday for a new multifamily complex in the St. Elmo area as developers promised that 10 percent of the 370 rental units would be affordable for families earning 60 percent of the median family income. They also promised that 10 percent of units for sale would be offered at […]
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An inflexible code puts small landlord’s business at risk
Prospective salon tenants have been knocking on the door of Stephen Straus’ charming house-turned-office at 3402 Kerbey Lane for months, only to be turned away because of the city’s rigid land development rules. Though a salon would be an ideal tenant for Straus, the property’s Neighborhood Office (NO) zoning doesn’t allow personal services use, which […]