For almost a year, the Zilker Neighborhood Association has been waiting for an explanation about McMansion dormers. This week, association members took their questions to the Board of Adjustment and asked for an interpretation. After a discussion of the issue, board members voted unanimously to postpone the item until their May 8 meeting to ensure […]
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
BoA approves variance and chides HOA
Rules may be rules, but this week one northwest homeowners association learned that it takes more than dogma to get the Board of Adjustment on board with nudging a backyard shed and foundation. Homeowners Yaguo Wang and her husband, Jian Ku, were seeking a variance that would allow them to reduce the rear setback at […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Appointment drama continues
Casar challenges District 6 appointment … Last Friday, Council Member Greg Casar used the City Council Message Board to announce that he will be asking Council to rescind the District 6 nomination to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, Rebecca Forest. Casar wrote, “During a speech at a political rally, the recent nominee from District 6 […]
Posted inDevelopment, Land Development Code
BOA denies variances for Lake Austin tram
The Board of Adjustment rejected a request last week from a Lake Austin homeowner seeking to build a tram to a boat dock. Chris Pacitti was seeking variances from the Land Development Code that would have allowed him to construct the tram to a proposed boat dock at his 70 Pascal Lane home. Board members […]
Posted inDevelopment
Neighbor’s garage won’t stop duplex, says board
A neighborhood association bid to overturn a building permit based on a neighbor’s garage lost an appeal at the Board of Adjustment last week. The board voted 6-1 to deny the appeal, with Board Member Stuart Hampton voting in opposition. Board Member Will Schnier summed up the case. “So the permit of the proposed house is […]
Posted inLand Development Code, Zoning
Board summarily rejects Lake Austin variances
The Board of Adjustment pulled no punches Monday night, but it did knock out a pair of questionable variance requests. Board members swiftly denied two Lake Austin impervious cover requests and brushed off a last-minute withdrawal request that could have allowed similar variance wishes to return to the board in the near future. David Cancialosi was […]
Posted inLand Development Code
BoA seeks answer to impervious cover question
As of last week, the Board of Adjustment was still looking for an explanation for an extra 10 percent of impervious cover in the plans for a Central Austin home. Board members postponed the case for a third time, in search of answers. “I will certainly try to get you an answer … maybe the […]
Posted inEnvironment, Land Development Code
Board rules tree-shielding carport must go
A Cherrywood resident who hoped to save both his cars and his trees found no fix at the Board of Adjustment. Adrian Young, who owns the house at 3216 Lafayette Ave., was seeking a variance to reduce the setback from 15 feet to zero feet in order to maintain a carport. Unfortunately, said Young, his […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Board rules Allandale Airstream can stay
At least one home in Allandale will remain weird, though the homeowner will have to work hard to obscure it if he doesn’t want to run afoul of city code again. Andrew Hutton was before the Board of Adjustment last December, seeking the variance that would allow him to use plants to camouflage his Airstream trailer […]
Posted inCity Hall, Planning
No-show is a no-go at the Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment extended no favors to an East Cesar Chavez homeowner who failed to appear at its Monday night meeting. Instead, the board quickly voted against her request for a greater floor-to-area ratio than the McMansion Ordinance allows. Homeowner Amanda Ferrier was seeking a variance from Subchapter F of the city code for […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Land Development Code
When is a carport a garage? Ask the BOA
At its last meeting, the Board of Adjustment considered whether staff had made an error by issuing a building permit at 904 Jessie St. David King, on behalf of the Zilker Neighborhood Association, made the appeal. In the end it all came down to carports and ongoing problems with the McMansion Ordinance carport exemption in […]
Posted inAustin, Development
Yogurt shop variance request frozen for now
The Board of Adjustment gave an overall warm reception to a parking variance request sought for a new frozen yogurt shop on East Sixth Street. However, instead of granting the variance request, several BOA members said they thought the Development Assistance Center could potentially waive the parking requirement for the building located at 1105 E. […]