An affordable housing project in Central East Austin had clear support from the Board of Adjustment. But, given the similarity to a case down the street that was rejected just hours before, board members struggled to articulate their support in a way that would not come back to haunt them on Monday night. In the […]
City of Austin Board of Adjustment
The city’s Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial body that decides on variances, special exceptions and can issue interpretations of code.
Posted inDevelopment
“Grandiose” East Austin remodel stalls at BoA
Fast-paced change in Central East Austin has helped contribute a boon of cases to the city’s planning commissions, where it has become clear that prosperity has been a mixed bag. At their most recent meeting, Board of Adjustment members took up a case that showcased how rampant redevelopment has its pros and cons. And, without […]
Posted inPlanning
New co-op wrangles with parking at BoA
Could a brand-new co-op be on the way in the University Neighborhood Overlay? Probably, but there are some parking issues to clear up before the project can move forward. Though some Board of Adjustment members seemed wary of the request for further reductions in parking for a new West Campus co-op, they ultimately voted unanimously […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Tanks tank in Old West Austin variance case
To find proof that the opinions of neighbors hold sway at the city’s boards and commissions, look no further than the Board of Adjustment. At its recent meeting, board members voted unanimously to deny a variance that may have looked OK on paper but didn’t pass muster once fleshed out by neighborhood concerns. William Van […]
Posted inLand Development Code
BoA awaits better hardship for east side development
A project that could bring three-story homes to the east side may be on track for getting some of the variances it needs – but developers are going to have to strengthen their hardship claim first. At their most recent meeting, Board of Adjustment members voted unanimously to postpone two variance requests for the property […]
Posted inPlanning
Montessori school on narrow road remains in limbo
The Mariposa Montessori school may have found its ideal location, but without a variance that will allow it to build on the narrow Paisano Trail, plans are stalled. Currently, Mariposa Montessori is located on Brodie Lane, but it is now looking for a new location that will allow for more space, upgraded facilities and less […]
Posted inPlanning
Parking and character battle at BoA case
Is a lack of parking a neighborhood characteristic? In East Austin, maybe it is. At the most recent meeting of the Board of Adjustment, George Rodenbusch was seeking a variance to reduce the number of required parking spaces from four to zero and change the use from single-family to triplex at 1014 E. Eighth St., […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Steck House case returns to BoA one last time
The development surrounding the Steck House was once again in question at the Board of Adjustment for just under an hour last week. Although the board voted to reconsider the case, in the end, board members did not change their position from last month. Once again they voted to support staff’s interpretation. However, they did […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Steck House compatibility will stay waived
The question of whether the city correctly interpreted city code may have divided Board of Adjustment members at their last meeting, but the panel seemed much more united on the topic of the code language, which will allow new construction in a setback due to historic zoning. In short: The board wasn’t too happy with […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Steck House at center of project, now BoA case
The city’s Board of Adjustment is taking a little more time to consider whether a North University site plan was approved in error. Appellant Leon Barish has asked the board to weigh in on how staff applied the compatibility setback for a project surrounding the historic Steck House during the site-plan approval process. Barish told […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Tree plea backfires at Board of Adjustment
An attempt to get a taller sign for a carpet store on Anderson Lane found no success at the most recent Board of Adjustment meeting, when board members were reluctant to help avoid a tree. The board voted 7-2 to deny the variance, with board members Eric Goff and Melissa Hawthorne voting in opposition. Jim […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Board rules former cat palace can stay
There was opposition from the neighborhood association, but that wasn’t enough to keep the Board of Adjustment from a unanimous decision to allow one Zilker neighborhood resident to keep her Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in place in her backyard. Tracy Perkins, who is the owner of 1502 Kinney Ave., rented the property for nine years […]