A couple building their dream home can find it disheartening to make it through the architectural design and site plan process, only to have an administrative hiccup put their plans on pause. John and Amy Porter, who own 1704 and 1706 Channel Road, found themselves in this position when they came before the Board of […]
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 inPlanning
Board of Adjustment denies case in consideration of trees
On Monday night, trees became the centerpiece of a dock variance discussion at the Board of Adjustment. The property at 2710 Scenic Drive currently has a half-constructed boat dock, big enough for only one boat, that the new property owners were hoping to widen. They asked the board for a variance to reduce the interior […]
Posted inPlanning
Cultural center variance goes before Board of Adjustment for a third time
When the Board of Adjustment voted last month to deny the reconsideration of a case and let their original judgment for a variance at 810½ San Marcos St. stand, it turns out that the vote negated their original vote of approval. Board Chair William Burkhardt explained to the Austin Monitor that last month’s vote on […]
Posted inCourts
State Bar accepts complaint against former assistant city attorney
The State Bar of Texas has determined it will be pursuing a formal investigation of former Assistant City Attorney Brent Lloyd. Lloyd was the subject of a complaint filed last month by Board of Adjustment Chair William Burkhardt and former Board Member Bryan King, with the support of Board Member Don Leighton-Burwell. The three alleged […]
Posted inPlanning
BoA says project’s affordable housing is a token gesture
In Austin, “affordable housing” has become a magical phrase that is repeatedly heard within the walls of City Hall. Although affordable housing is undoubtedly needed in the city, the Board of Adjustment indicated that it’s fed up with this phrase being used as a bargaining chip for increased development entitlements. “I will not barter affordable […]
Posted inPlanning
Lack of notification brings case back to BoA
After the Board of Adjustment quickly approved a variance with hearty support last month to allow an increase in building height from 40 to 50 feet for the construction of a cultural center, the property at 810½ San Marcos St. came back before the board on a technicality. The Guadalupe Association for an Improved Neighborhood […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Phone home, ETJ
Racial discourse… When Defend Our Hoodz came to the June 11 meeting of the Planning Commission, City Hall was prepared. Protesters opposed to the 4700 E. Riverside project – a development they refer to as the Domain at Riverside – have been frequenting commission meetings. Last Tuesday, they began screaming profanities and calling out commissioners […]
Posted inPlanning
Flooding concerns prevent BoA from approving increased impervious cover
When it comes to drainage controls, how much of a good thing is too much? The answer is, when drainage control threatens to heighten flood risk due to the increase in impervious cover required for its installation. Jason Asbury came on behalf of Homex Partners to the Board of Adjustment’s June 10 meeting to ask […]
Posted inCity Hall
Board of Adjustment members file grievance against former assistant city attorney
On Monday, Board of Adjustment Chair William Burkhardt and former Board Member Bryan King, with the support of Board Member Don Leighton-Burwell, filed a complaint with the State Bar of Texas against former Assistant City Attorney Brent Lloyd. The complaint alleges that Lloyd was in violation of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct due […]
Posted inLand Development Code
BoA postpones case to better understand 10-foot setback implications
After combining two plots of land in the West Austin Sweetbrush neighborhood in January and agreeing to conform to city of Austin ordinances in the process, the owners of 2404 Sweetbrush Drive came before the Board of Adjustment on May 13 to request a variance to decrease the rear yard setback of the through lot […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Mis-measured fence must come down to size, according to BoA
City code considers a swimming pool to be a backyard hazard that should be securely encircled by a solid fence – sometimes a fence that is higher than the 6-foot standard. However, a fence of increased height is only permitted if there is a structure within reach that would reasonably allow a child to hop […]
Posted inUncategorized
BoA says expanded parking at Travis County Tax Office is insufficient
For years, the Travis County Clerk’s Office and the Tax Office at 5501 Airport Blvd. have used the vacant lot next door to accommodate the perpetual parking overflow from Austinites seeking a variety of services. Now, as Austin continues to expand, the property next door at 5325 and 5335 Airport Blvd. is slated to become […]