Neighborhood support for a plan to preserve a historic home alongside new development wasn’t quite enough to sway the Board of Adjustment on a Travis Heights case at its last meeting. Though some board members seemed inclined to support the requested variances and others seemed concerned about the requests, most eventually agreed on a postponement […]
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 inLand Development Code
Griffin School faces another delay
After yet another postponement at the Board of Adjustment, the fate of the Griffin School remains unclear. Board members warned that this postponement would be the last. The school, which is located at 5000 Martin Ave. in Hyde Park, is seeking an adjustment to a variance granted in 2010. That variance decreased the minimum street […]
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 […]
Posted inDevelopment
Duplexes to rise again
Board of Adjustment members gave a partial go-ahead to a Rosedale duplex project last week – but it deferred an impervious cover variance for now, pending neighborhood support. Mark Vornberg of Dick Clark and Associates told the board that Diane Howard’s family had owned the land at 4705 and 4707 Rosedale Ave. for more than […]
Posted inAustin
Griffin School variance delayed once again
The Board of Adjustment once again postponed a crucial variance for the Griffin School on Monday. Though some residents of the surrounding Hyde Park neighborhood continue to oppose the variance, board members expressed hope that the details of a compromise could be hammered out before their next meeting. Board Member Michael Von Ohlen led the […]
Posted inCity Hall
New BoA soldiers on, despite concern
With two member appointments outstanding, the new Board of Adjustment held its first meeting Monday, despite the concerns of a former board member. Assistant City Attorney Brent Lloyd said that, as a rule, in cases that require a majority of votes to pass, that majority is calculated on the total number of seats on the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Foundation Communities project back on track after BoA delay
An attempt to thwart construction of Foundation Communities’ Bluebonnet Studios fell flat at the Board of Adjustment on Monday night. Michael Sullivan, who owns the property adjacent to the Bluebonnet Studios site, asked the board to reconsider two city staff code interpretations. The first classified the Bluebonnet Studios at 2301 South Lamar as “congregate living.” […]
Posted inHousing
BoA says impervious cover can stay
Though it attached lectures and conditions, the Board of Adjustment has ruled that a Brykerwoods home can keep its impervious cover. The owners of a house at 1800 West 29th St. were seeking a variance to allow the current 53 percent impervious cover to remain, though only 45 percent is allowed under city code. Board […]
Posted inDevelopment
BoA torpedoes North Hyde Park ADU variance
As Austin’s accessory dwelling unit ordinance revision enters its second year, those in the city trying to build ADUs continue to have a hard time. That was certainly the case at the Board of Adjustment’s last meeting, during which one North Hyde Park homeowner learned that the very mention of ADUs can put off board members who […]
Posted inThe Code
Popular infill project stalls at BoA
Time invested, neighborhood support and a convoluted city code won’t get you a variance at the Board of Adjustment. But they might buy you a little time. James Schoenbaum is the owner and manager of the proposed development at 614 and 618 Blanco St. His company, Arbol Lindo, LLC, purchased the property in July 2013. […]
Posted inAustin
Griffin School enrollment causes trouble at City Hall
Last week, Austin’s Griffin School went to the Board of Adjustment to ask for a variance crucial to its continued operation. Griffin is a private liberal arts school at 5000 Martin Ave. in Hyde Park that teaches students in grades 9-12. Its current enrollment exceeds caps placed on the school five years ago by two […]
Posted inDevelopment
BOA grants variances, effectively denies house
The Board of Adjustment granted variances for one East Austin homeowner Monday night, but that doesn’t mean he will be able to build the home he wants. William Scott Admire, who owns a house at 2012 Hamilton Ave., told the board that without a variance that lot is “useless.” He was requesting the same treatment that would be […]