Tag Archives: City of Austin Environmental Commission
Bowie High School development plan nullified by new survey
Technological advancements are generally welcomed with open arms thanks to their potential to save time, money and recalculations. Unfortunately, applying these new capabilities to work done almost three decades ago can reveal errors that throw carefully negotiated plans out the…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Mar 11, 2019
Austin Water touts water conservation efforts
Despite Austin’s consistent growth and the city demographer’s prediction that city utilities will need to serve 4 million residents in the next 100 years, Austin Water feels confident that its facilities are up to the challenge. In terms of today’s…
Water • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 25, 2019
Permanent zebra mussel solution still 18 months out
Following the odorous indication that a zebra mussel infestation had arrived in Austin waterways earlier this month, Austin Water has been working to come up with a solution to prevent a similar instance from recurring. Austin Water is already working to…
Water • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 22, 2019
Citing density concerns, West Austin lot receives recommendation for subdivision
After purchasing his home in May 2016 under the assumption that the city would permit him to subdivide his 3.2-acre lot into two 1.6-acre lots, Rick Engel, the owner of Ski Shores restaurant, found himself still pleading his case almost three…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 12, 2019
Watershed department works with city to clean up homeless camps
The number of people experiencing homelessness is growing in the city of Austin. Last fall, recognizing the crisis on the streets and the pressure on city resources, City Council approved an increased budget to help relieve the situation. In addition…
Austin • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 11, 2019
Environmental Commission debates 30 years of history to approve project
At the Environmental Commission, the third time was not the charm to recommend a change to the land plan of the Senna Hills Municipal Utility District. The proposed change would repurpose 11.73 acres of irrigation land with two developable acres…
Environment • By Jessi Devenyns • Jan 18, 2019
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Old mine to become new town center
A decades-old sand and gravel mine just east of Austin city limits may be about to get a face-lift as a new Mueller-esque planned unit development (PUD). The proposal for the 2,122-acre property includes 12,000 residential units, 2.25 million square…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Dec 10, 2018
Volvo request for service extension stalls at the Environmental Commission
City water and wastewater flow just 175 feet away from the site of a newly proposed Volvo dealership; however, the 26-acre site at 10600 N FM 620 remains on well water and a septic system. Even with a plan to…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Nov 9, 2018
Landowner offers environmental concessions, gets commission approval for restricted covenant updates
Down in Southwest Austin, behind the Oak Hill HEB, is an undeveloped 18-acre parcel of land that is subject to a 1987 restrictive covenant. Currently, the undeveloped land at 6901 Old Bee Caves Road is zoned for commercial use, but because…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Oct 22, 2018
At the Environmental Commission, man-made islands get man-made variances
There are few undeveloped lots along Lake Austin. However, those that are find themselves uniquely positioned as a clean slate that is ideal for a new, modern home – except when the lot is the wrong shape. Just underneath Mt.…
Land Development Code • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 25, 2018
Camelback project narrowly receives Environmental Commission's approval
After nearly four and a half hours of testimony and discussion, and two votes due to some confusion over the conditions attached to a motion, the Environmental Commission endorsed the environmental superiority of the Camelback PUD, the controversial planned unit…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 24, 2018
Tree removal permitting to change in October
Sometimes trees have the most powerful voices in our city. At the Sept. 5 meeting of the Environmental Commission, Max Elliott, who is a resident of the Govalle neighborhood, alerted the commission that recently a builder removed five heritage trees…
