The Planning Commission shared the findings Tuesday of a housing policy working group formed last summer to identify potential Land Development Code changes that could make housing more affordable. The working group gathered recommendations from three industry groups: American Institute of Architects Austin, Preservation Austin and Austin Infill Coalition. “We talked with them about trying […]
City of Austin Planning Commission
This commission addresses issues of land use as assigned to it by Austin’s City Code. These include the abilities “[t]o make and amend a master plan, recommend approval or disapproval of proposed zoning changes and control land subdivision within neighborhood planning areas and submit, annually, a list of recommended capital improvements.” It has sovereign authority, or the right to make final decisions on certain cases.
Posted inPreservation
Council declines historic zoning for Westgate building
Nine of 11 City Council members voted last week to deny city historic landmark status to the clearly historic Westgate Tower at 1122 Colorado, on a motion by Council Member Zo Qadri, whose District 9 includes the building. Council Member Alison Alter opposed the motion and Council Member Mackenzie Kelly abstained. The 25-story residential building, […]
Posted inPlanning
Neighborhood plan amendment stirs debate about growth along East Cesar Chavez
A neighborhood plan amendment heard by the Planning Commission on Jan. 24 highlighted diverging attitudes around how the Holly neighborhood, anchored by East Cesar Chavez Street, should change. At issue is a request to change the future land use map for several properties on the 2300 and 2400 block of East Second Street from single-family […]
Posted inZoning
Plans for cocktail lounge on Guadalupe draw neighborhood concerns
Residents of the Heritage neighborhood showed up in force last Tuesday at the Planning Commission to object to a proposed cocktail lounge at 3100 Guadalupe St. The site, currently home to a dry cleaners, is set to be transformed into an upscale business serving coffee, cocktails and food. But before the establishment can open, it […]
Posted inZoning
Planning Commission OKs Cameron Road VMU rezoning
The Planning Commission last Tuesday recommended Vertical Mixed-Use zoning on a 1.6-acre site at 7601 Cameron Road over opposition from several neighbors. The site’s owner requests a zoning change from Community Commercial (GR-CO-NP) to Vertical Mixed-Use (GR-MU-V-CO-NP), which would allow a residential project with ground-floor retail to rise on the currently vacant site. Leah Bojo, […]
Posted inPlanning
Former East Austin tank farm site could see more development
Additional sections of the former East Austin tank farm site at Airport Boulevard and Springdale Road may be redeveloped, according to a zoning change request heard by the Planning Commission Tuesday. Two pieces of the former tank farm totaling nearly 10 acres could be developed into a mix of uses including housing. But uncertainty over […]
Posted inZoning
Amid flooding concerns, Planning Commission OKs rezoning off South Congress
The Planning Commission voted last Tuesday in favor of a rezoning that would allow construction of a 90-unit multifamily development near South Congress and U.S. Highway 290. The rezoning concerns a 2-acre tract at 406 and 428 E. Alpine Road. In order to allow housing on the site, the property owner hopes to add a […]
Posted inZoning
Windsor Park multifamily rezoning fuels heated discussion at Planning Commission
After a controversial discussion, the Planning Commission recommended a rezoning in Windsor Park that would allow a 34-unit multifamily project to move forward. The project sits on a 0.86-acre vacant lot at 6305 Berkman Drive. The property owner requests a rezoning from Townhouse and Condominium (SF-6) to Multifamily-High Density (MF-5). No neighbors opposed the rezoning […]
Posted inPlanning
Zoning change to allow taller towers in the Domain
A proposed zoning change would allow buildings in and around the Domain to rise as high as many downtown towers, solidifying the area’s status as Austin’s unofficial second downtown. The zoning change, initiated in September by the Planning Commission, would increase the allowable height in the North Burnet Gateway Regulating Plan’s Transit-Oriented Development zoning to […]
Posted inHousing
Council relaxes compatibility requirements along selected corridors
City Council has approved changes to building compatibility standards that will allow for some increases in housing density along a handful of transit corridors. The ordinance amending City Code Title 25 was approved Friday, modifying parking requirements and allowing for increased building heights closer to single-family homes located on the targeted corridors, with some entitlements […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Planning Commission says Council’s compatibility reforms don’t go far enough
The Planning Commission last Tuesday recommended broader changes to compatibility standards than what City Council proposed earlier this year, setting the stage for a Council discussion on Dec. 1 over how much to relax the rule. Compatibility, a rule limiting the height of buildings near single-family homes, has come under increased scrutiny for its role […]
Posted inPlanning
Planning Commission weighs in on Palm District Plan
The Planning Commission heard a presentation Tuesday on the Palm District Plan, an initiative that aims to guide growth and preserve cultural heritage in a rapidly changing part of downtown. “The overarching vision of the district,” Stevie Greathouse with the Housing and Planning Department said, “is that it become a vibrant, historic hub of downtown […]