About seven years ago, Lynn Meredith and her husband moved into a high-rise downtown. Meredith can see the state Capitol from her building, and over the years, she’s watched as new skyscrapers have sprung up around the Capitol, while some other construction plans have fallen through. “Since we are downtown residents and we are interested […]
Capitol View Corridor
Capitol View Corridors are established by a state overlay that limits construction downtown along corridors that protect views of the Texas State Capitol building
Posted inCity Council
Council approves resolution aimed at creating more Capitol View Corridors
City Council approved a resolution Thursday aimed at preserving “visual corridors” of the state Capitol in East Austin. Brought forward by Council Member Ora Houston – who in a prepared statement described the view of the Capitol that she grew up enjoying as both “magical” and increasingly endangered – the resolution does not impose any […]
Posted inCity Council
Capitol view corridors to compete at Council today
Stand atop the hill at the northeast corner of the Texas State Cemetery, and you’ll have a clear view of the Texas State Capitol. It rises alongside a row of trees, now leafless, and a Texas flag. That view, some City Council members say, demands protection. “This resolution is to preserve the Capitol corridor views […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: What has hot dogs, great views and live music? It’s a roundup festival!
Hot dogs at Town Lake Animal Center… Things got heated during the Animal Advisory Commission’s recent discussion of the temperature of the Town Lake Animal Center. There has been increasing public concern over ineffectual swamp coolers where the outdoor kennels are, which means dogs have no protection against the humid Austin summer. Veterinarians have determined […]
Posted inPlanning
Capitol view corridor dashes longshot hopes for county courthouse plan
The Texas Legislature has no interest in helping Travis County build a new civil courthouse across the street from its existing one if it means blocking protected views of the State Capitol, according to state Sen. Kirk Watson. “I don’t think there is any good chance that you would pass legislation that would do away […]
Posted inTravis County
State law stymies county courthouse plans
Travis County’s renewed search for a suitable site for a new civil courthouse is facing stiff headwinds from a state law aimed at stifling development in downtown Austin. Last Wednesday, the Civil and Family Courthouse Community Advisory Committee showed little interest in taking on the Texas Legislature and the Capitol View Corridors that the body […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
City hires outside law firm to handle Capitol View Corridor violation
After a closed-door executive session, City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve $1.8 million in legal fees for an outside law firm to protect the interests for a possible violation of the Capitol View Corridor. After some confusion and speculation over what the money was for, the City Manager’s Office issued a statement Thursday, […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission won’t amend NCCD to fix permit mistake
The Planning Commission has shot down a city staff scheme to fix a mistake that left a neighborhood business in limbo. Though the request was solely to initiate an amendment to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Conservation Combining District (NCCD,) the Planning Commission declined to wade into those waters at all. The commission voted unanimously […]