Nineteenth-century home discovered in Northeast Austin… Homes dating prior to the 20th century are rare in Texas. Therefore, discovering one is a momentous event. Historic Landmark commissioners expressed excitement at the announcement from Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky that the home at 1208 E. Howard Lane is from the mid-19th-century settlement of the Dessau community, […]
City of Austin Land Development Code
The city’s Land Development Code regulates building and development in the city of Austin.
Posted inLand Development Code
Historic Landmark Commission expresses displeasure at preservation efforts in LDC draft
As Council’s first vote on the new Land Development Code draft inches ever closer, the Historic Landmark Commission publicly weighed in at its Nov. 18 meeting – and its reaction was not a positive one. Of particular concern was the “preservation incentive,” which received an icy blast of the commissioners’ ire. The preservation incentive that […]
Posted inLand Development Code
How heritage tree regulations change under new draft code
Transition zones have proved to be a divisive topic at City Hall during the ongoing discussions about the Land Development Code draft. These zones, which are meant to promote “missing middle” housing options and increase density, are raising eyebrows due to changes in long-standing provisions that are proposed to achieve the desired density levels. One […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council argues over adopting zoning map
City Council still has at least two more work sessions and a public hearing in which to understand and hash out differences of opinion about the new Land Development Code before Dec. 9, the first of three readings to adopt it. Mayor Steve Adler noted during Monday’s work session that second reading of the ordinance […]
Posted inPlanning
Council approves amendments to city code and new floodplain maps
City Council has unanimously approved amendments to the city code redefining what constitutes the 25-year and 100-year floodplains in Austin. The changes also amend floodplain regulations and expand staff’s ability to approve residential redevelopment within the expanded floodplains. The proposed code changes are the result of Atlas 14, a historical rainfall study released by the […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Easy as L, D, C
Diversify the LDC… At Saturday’s joint meeting of the arts and music commissions, the two groups each approved a request that the Planning Commission adjust the language in a recent addition to the draft Land Development Code that is being amended ahead of possible action by City Council. Earlier this month the Planning Commission unanimously […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council debates the potential impact of large-scale rezoning on property taxes
Some of City Council’s internal conflict over the Land Development Code may be tied to different understandings of how zoning and development affect residential property taxes. The code rewrite lead team told Council on Tuesday that many residents are worried zoning changes will directly impact property values and result in higher taxes. But no matter […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Land code heads to City Council with request to focus development on West Austin instead of East
Austin’s new land use code, which determines what can be built in the city and where, is one step closer to being finalized – but first, one city body is asking that the plan encourage development farther west instead of in gentrifying areas. Members of the city’s Planning Commission signed off Tuesday on recommended changes […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Austin City Council will start voting on a new land code in December. Here are five terms to know.
The city of Austin has spent almost eight years and roughly $11 million rewriting its land use code, the set of rules dictating what you can build in the city and where you can build it. Much of the code can be mystifying to those outside the planning or building world, with terms like setback […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Parks board recommends that the Parkland Dedication Ordinance remain untouched
The city of Austin has had a Parkland Dedication Ordinance as part of its Land Development Code since 1985. The ordinance has been updated three times since its institution, with the most recent iteration in 2016, after two years of engagement from both the public and experts. As a result of that collaboration, the ratio […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Taco trucks, booze and day care: Commission talks site use in code draft
The current Land Development Code rewrite is usually discussed in either the big-picture abstractions of elected leaders or the detailed, close-up focus of city staffers. Yet more practical questions tend to get little public attention. But at its meeting last Tuesday, the Planning Commission took some time to think about concrete concerns like where a […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Can you protest changes to your property under the land code rewrite? City says no.
City of Austin lawyers are refuting the claims of an Austin nonprofit that has been campaigning for property owners to protest the possible rezoning of their land under the city’s land use code rewrite. “City officials plan to rezone your home and neighborhood,” reads a flyer circulated by Community Not Commodity, which opposed the city’s […]