Though the process continues to draw criticism, the CodeNEXT code rewrite moves forward, and the Planning Commission looked at its latest benchmark last week. Planning and Development ReviewUrban Planner George Zapalac presented the Planning Commission with a draft of CodeNEXT’s Code Diagnosis Report. The final report, which will also detail major issues found in […]
City of Austin Land Development Code
The city’s Land Development Code regulates building and development in the city of Austin.
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission nixes request for more impervious cover
Despite claims of staff error, the Planning Commission was unsympathetic to an East Austin homeowner in search of a zoning fix last week. Blake and Toria English, the owners of 1307 Waller Street, were seeking a change from SF-3 zoning to SF-4a zoning. The change would allow for more impervious cover on the lot, […]
Posted inDevelopment
Board of Adjustment postpones variance for title loan company
The Board of Adjustment is taking extra time to consider a case that could test the city’s new ordinance regulating payday lenders. One company, Texas Title Loans, is complaining that the law is being improperly applied to them retroactively. Jackson Walker LLP consultant Katherine Loayza spoke to the board on behalf of Texas Title […]
Posted inEnvironment
Commission OKs recycling, composting plan for mobile food trucks
A city panel is working to encourage recycling and composting among Austin’s myriad mobile food trucks. The Zero Waste Advisory Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend amending city code to allow food trucks to use unattached trash receptacles, a practice currently forbidden by the health code. According to the Public Health Services and […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Riley’s push for micro-apartments draws complaint from Morrison
A push from Council Member Chris Riley to revise Austin’s Land Development Code to include new provisions to encourage the construction of micro-apartments raised concerns from Council Member Laura Morrison at Council’s Tuesday work session. There, Morrison argued that the move – set for approval at Thursday’s Council meeting – would run counter to work […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs lower occupancy limits for new housing
Austin City Council members Thursday approved a downward adjustment in occupancy limits citywide, a move that drops the maximum number of unrelated adults that can live at a given address from six to four. The vote was 6-1 with Council Member Bill Spelman casting the lone ‘no’ vote. Existing houses and duplexes will not […]
Posted inDevelopment
Panel debates future steps for Land Development Code rewrite
Some may think it’s moving too fast, and some may think it’s moving too slow, but most everyone agrees that the revision of the city’s Land Development Code continues to move toward what one stakeholder calls “difficult, necessary conversations.” The process has been branded CodeNEXT by the city, and at last week’s Comprehensive Planning […]
Posted inDevelopment, Elections
ANC wants Land Development Code rewrite held for 10-1 Council
The Austin Neighborhoods Council and others are calling for the ongoing rewrite of the city’s Land Development Code to be put on hold until the new 10-1 City Council is seated in January 2015. At their Monday afternoon meeting, members of the Land Development Code Advisory Group heard from several citizens, all of whom […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
City Council approves limits on occupancy rates on first reading
After a very long night at its last meeting, the Austin City Council had taken definitive steps toward a reduction of maximum occupancy rates in single-family dwellings. Council voted on first reading to reduce the maximum occupancy from six unrelated persons to four in a vote of 6-1. Council Member Bill Spelman cast the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council considers details of lowering housing occupancy cap
Austin City Council members Tuesday continued to explore a potential change in development rules that lowers the city’s occupancy cap from six to four unrelated persons. Though the measure, brought by Council Member Mike Martinez, is aimed squarely at what some call stealth dorms, wider concerns grabbed council attention. These include questions over how […]
Posted inDevelopment
ZAP reluctantly approves new subdivision for Steiner Ranch
A small rebellion at the Zoning and Platting Commission was thwarted last week, with commissioners acquiescing to code and, in the end, approving a Steiner Ranch subdivision. Previously, the commission had rejected the subdivision, citing health and safety concerns. Armbrust and Brown attorney Richard Suttle told the commission that, despite their concerns about traffic […]
Posted inDevelopment, Uncategorized
Board of Adjustment does remedial work on Lake Austin regulations
Continuing to grapple with being thrown into the deep end of Lake Austin regulations, the Board of Adjustment took a closer look at their new responsibilities at a specially-called meeting last week. Changes in process flummoxed the board at a previous meeting, where they were surprised to be reviewing a variance for fill on […]