Callout: Today’s newsletter is supported by “Austin Parks Foundation’s Party for the Parks”
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Quote of the Day
“We may be a leader in many things. We’re not a leader in historic preservation.. I’ve worked in many, many cities around the world and that’s just not one of our strengths. What we do have are a few historical sites and resources left that are worthy of being preserved and one of those is the railroad trestle”
— Ted Eubanks, from Trestle bridge advocates remain hopeful of future rehabilitation
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Trestle bridge advocates remain hopeful of future rehabilitation
From Amy Smith:
With ownership of the historic trestle bridge on Third Street still unresolved, the city of Austin has hired engineering firm HDR to explore possible options for rehabilitating the century-old structure.
The debate over whether the city or Union Pacific controls the bridge has dragged on for years but, by most accounts, the city and its partners have clearly invested the most time and money toward preserving the trestle for future generations.
Last week, the Downtown Commission heard the latest on the bridge’s fate during a Shoal Creek Conservancy presentation on the Cypress and Shoal Creek Public Space Strategy – a plan to make the area around Third Street and Shoal Creek more welcoming and better connected.
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Today’s newsletter is supported by “Austin Parks Foundation’s Party for the Parks”
Join Austin Parks Foundation for the 11th Annual Party for the Parks, featuring Passion Pit! This beloved event is happening under the lights at ACL in Zilker Park on Wednesday, October 8th.
Partygoers will enjoy delicious dining options, libations from Austin’s premiere beverage brands, games, a live auction and an intimate concert—all while helping raise funds for our city’s nearly 400 parks, trails and green spaces. Click here to get your tickets and join the fun!
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“Austintatious” developer ruffles feathers in suburban northwest Austin (continued)
Last week, the Zoning and Platting Commission heard two cases related to a developer in Northwest Austin identified in city documents as “Austintatious Enterprises LLC.” One has to do with a deed restriction, the other with a public restrictive covenant, and both have to do with a corner of the city annexed less than 20 years ago that’s changing quickly. Here’s Part Two of the story, in a continuation from yesterday.
A public restrictive covenant to lose, and business opportunities to gain
The second case features many of the same characters as the first and concerns a nearby, two-tract commercial property at 13642 US 183 and Research Boulevard. The property is also owned by Austintatious Enterprises, which is seeking a rezoning and the termination of a 2009 public restrictive covenant.
The request doesn’t ask for a change to the property’s zoning category, but to modify a conditional overlay on the two tracts. Specifically, the owner is asking to add back several currently-prohibited uses of the property that would allow schools, restaurants serving alcohol and various indoor recreation businesses to operate. In a letter to city staff, the owner’s representative, Tisha Titter, said that the request would “allow greater flexibility to meet current market demands.” They also asked for several other uses to be added back that they say are protected by the Fair Housing Act and should never have been prohibited, including residential group homes.
The restrictive covenant that would be terminated currently limits operating hours for any businesses on the property to between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and mandates that the owner of the property maintain a vegetative barrier between the property and the Acres West neighborhood.
City staff supported both requests, reasoning that the uses were ultimately in line with the base zoning and that the provisions of the restrictive covenant were unenforceable in practice. Meanwhile, neighbors (mostly the same ones as in the other case), complained in letters about fears of noise, light pollution and nuisance businesses, as well as the loss of the restrictive covenant’s stipulations.
Commissioner David Fouts motioned to endorse staff’s recommendation in support of the requests to City Council. That passed 6-0-2 with abstentions from Vice Chair Betsy Greenberg and Commissioner Lonny Stern.
— Miles Wall
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Elsewhere in the News
Want big fish? KUT claims to know where to find them.
KVUE reports that Sunset Valley is now getting into the license plate reader debate, with a petition to remove the technology now circulating.
Following a court ruling, AISD says it will not be displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
KXAN also reports on an educational series from the city that is aimed at helping local businesses get into the airport concession game.
And, it’s kind-of news, but definitely information — the Statesman confirms the viral tiktoks and says that. yes, HEB will steam your seafood for free.
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