City Council approved on first reading last week an amendment to the Hyatt West Planned Unit Development at the intersection of Riverside Drive and South First Street. As the developer’s representative, Leah Bojo, told the Planning Commission last month, her client wants to eliminate the minimum parking requirement for the area known as the West […]
Districts
Posted inHousing
Developer of parking-free downtown apartments surrenders building to lender
A parking-free, 30-unit apartment building that gained attention as one of the first attempts to bring “missing middle” housing downtown has been turned over to its lender after failing to generate enough occupancy to operate successfully. Weaver Buildings, the company that created the Capitol Quarters project on Nueces Street near 12th Street, announced this week […]
Posted inZoning
Follow-up zoning case promises more housing for South Lamar
City Council on Thursday will consider two linked zoning cases that developers hope will result in tracts for multifamily uses under a unified zoning designation of MF-6, the highest density of multifamily zoning. Council approved the initial zoning for a 2.9-acre tract at 2700 S. Lamar Blvd. in 2021. This week, they will look at […]
Posted inParks
City plans to remove Barton Springs tree ‘Flo’ this week
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department announced on Monday morning that they would be removing Flo, the nearly 100-year-old pecan tree that leans over Barton Springs Pool, before the pool opens on Thursday. In addition, the department invited members of the public to celebrate Flo’s life at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the pool. The fate […]
Posted inRoads
Barton Springs bridge gets new rules
As of this week, heavy vehicles traveling eastbound across the Barton Springs Road Bridge will be required to stay in the far right lane in an effort to extend the life of the bridge. The decision to limit options for heavier traffic, including buses, was made after the most recent inspection of the bridge, which […]
Posted inZoning
East 12th Street rezoning wins final approval
City Council gave final approval last week to a major change in land use on East 12th Street from commercial to mixed use, including an increase in height limits from 40 feet to 60 feet. The properties in question are within Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison’s district, and she strongly defended her support for the changes […]
Posted inPlanning
Council weighs affordable housing goals as it restarts HealthSouth redevelopment process
Members of City Council want the city to reexamine how much affordable and market-rate housing could be generated downtown based on the redevelopment of the parcels known as the HealthSouth property. Item 101 on the agenda for today’s meeting directs the Austin Housing Finance Corporation to determine the best scenario for creating affordable housing in […]
Posted inPreservation
Preservationists grapple with front lawn makeover at Tarrytown Tudor
A proposal to redesign the front lawn of a historic Tarrytown home is receiving some pushback at the city’s Historic Landmark Commission, putting historic design standards for both landscaping and fencing to the test. The property at 2900 Tarry Trail, built in 1938 by architect Edward C. Gatewood, currently sits atop an open, tree-laden lawn […]
Posted inZoning
Council approves commercial zoning for foundation company site
Austin City Council gave its initial approval last week to change the zoning for four North Austin lots that host a foundation repair business on Georgian Drive to bring it into compliance with city regulations. If approved on second and third readings, the new zoning will be Commercial Services-Mixed Use under a neighborhood plan (CS-MU-CO-NP). […]
Posted inPreservation
Planning Commission takes a pass on District 10 historic zoning recommendation
A bid for historic zoning in Old West Austin left the Planning Commission divided at their most recent meeting. Owners of the Griffin House at 2502 Jarratt Ave. are seeking a historic designation that will protect the home from changes and offer tax abatement in return. Planning commissioners remained split evenly, so the zoning case […]
Posted inPreservation
Campaign to landmark Peter Pan Mini Golf gains traction at city’s preservation office
After 75 years in business, Austin’s Peter Pan Mini Golf is hoping to celebrate many more, with a grassroots campaign to zone the site historic beginning to take shape at the city’s Historic Preservation Office. The one-of-a-kind golf course made headlines after news broke that a change in landowners could call the renewal of its […]
Posted inPreservation
Travis Heights “gingerbread house” on track for historic landmark status
Travis Heights preservationists had cause for celebration last week, as a proposal to landmark an iconic neighborhood home broke up the typical routine of demolition and disappointment. The case to rezone the property at 2101 Travis Heights Blvd., known among neighbors as the “gingerbread house,” received the unanimous endorsement of the Historic Landmark Commission, who […]