Citing neighborly discord, the Board of Adjustment postponed for the third time a variance request to treat an already-standing 1930s bungalow as an accessory dwelling unit. In a creative solution to add more density and square footage to a lot, architect Norma Yancey designed a plan to flip-flop the traditional scenario of the main residence […]
accessory dwelling units
This term refers to smaller, secondary units built on the property of a primary residence. Also known as ADUs, mother-in-law suites, granny flats, or garden apartments, among other things.
Posted inLand Development Code
Austin wants to make it easier to build garage apartments
City Council took a step yesterday to streamline the process of building and remodeling homes by approving the Family Homestead Initiative. The resolution calls for the city to identify all the regulations and costs associated with the process. Council Member Delia Garza, who sponsored the measure, said she wants to create a separate permitting process […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Commission embraces ADUs in CodeNEXT
After months of debate, the Planning Commission at its Nov. 1 meeting directed staff and consultants to make the building of accessory dwelling units less constrained in the final draft of CodeNEXT. The current code places several restrictions on the construction of ADUs, and the second draft of the new code has dropped some of […]
Posted inZoning
Rezoning denial may not matter after CodeNEXT
When the world (of the current Land Development Code) is coming to an end, a single property zoning decision can seem insignificant. At the Zoning and Platting Commission’s Sept. 5 meeting, commissioners denied what one Northwest Austin community perceived to be a threat to the character of their neighborhood. But commissioners warned the unsuspecting residents […]
Posted inHousing
Council members concerned about fees for ADUs
Council Member Delia Garza is worried that proposed increases in building fees are going to hit middle-income homeowners who are seeking to build accessory dwelling units the hardest. At a Thursday City Council meeting over the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Garza pressed the head of the Development Services Department on the fee […]
Posted inCity Council, Land Development Code
Council loosens rules on accessory dwelling units
Austin homeowners hoping to build accessory dwelling units on their properties now have a better chance of being able to do so, based on new rules that City Council passed on Thursday. The measure reducing restrictions on accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in the Land Development Code passed on a 7-4 vote. Mayor Pro Tem […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council mulls granny flats, garage apartments
Ahead of a Thursday vote that could loosen rules for building accessory dwelling units such as granny flats and garage apartments, City Council debated the potential benefits and risks of the move at a work session on Tuesday. Council Member Greg Casar, who chairs the Planning and Neighborhoods Committee and has recently led the effort […]
Posted inLand Development Code
ADU discussion takes a turn
Though there was some hope that City Council would end its consideration of an accessory dwelling unit ordinance yesterday, it was misplaced. Council voted unanimously on Thursday to adopt the recommendations of the Planning and Neighborhoods Committee, but it did so only on second reading, which means the ordinance will return at least one more […]
Posted inCity Council, Land Development Code
Council may finally bid adieu to ADU deliberation
After more than a year, City Council is closing in on new regulations for accessory dwelling units that, ostensibly, will make it easier for Austinites to build small, secondary homes on their property. As Council Member Greg Casar announced at Tuesday’s work session, “It’s been such a long process, and we’re finally here, sort of […]
Posted inDevelopment
Water utility relaxes rules for granny flats
After hearing complaints about new requirements for waterlines, water meters and wastewater lines from contractors, architects and people hoping to build granny flats in their backyards, Austin Water utility Director Greg Meszaros has issued three memos that allow exceptions to the expensive changes previously enacted. City Council Member Greg Casar, who chairs the Council Neighborhoods […]
Posted inAustin, City Charter, Development, Land Development Code
Casar proposes ADU policy revision timeline
Amid a public outcry for more available housing, City Council is reconsidering restrictions on accessory dwelling units such as granny flats and garage apartments. Council Member Greg Casar has proposed an approach to that review that considers related issues, including short-term rental regulations and parking requirements. Casar suggested Wednesday that the Planning and Neighborhoods Committee, […]
Posted inLand Development Code
New BoA reverses ADU decision
Though the city’s new accessory dwelling unit ordinance is expected to remain in committee until fall, one North Hyde Park homeowner will be able to proceed with an ADU after a second chance with a new board worked out in his favor last week. John Walewski owns a house at 4514 Avenue B. He would […]