The Planning Commission unanimously supported a rezoning Tuesday for a mixed-use project that includes affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence. The project, developed by Capital A Housing, is slated for several lots at 5107-5115 Lancaster Court, near Mueller. Plans include two buildings, each about 65 feet tall. One of the buildings will have 60 […]
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 inPlanning
City prepares to announce community-led anti-displacement projects
The details are coming into focus on proposed partnerships between the city and community organizations to prevent displacement along Project Connect transit lines. Nefertitti Jackmon, the city’s community displacement prevention officer, described the efforts during a joint meeting of the Planning and Zoning and Platting commissions on Tuesday. “Community-based organizations and people who are closest to the […]
Posted inHousing
Neighbors protested housing for homeless Austinites. Then, they (sort of) changed their stance.
Austin’s Planning Commission meets every other Tuesday in the cavernous chambers of City Hall. Members assemble virtually and in person to hear requests and pleas from the public about what should be built in the city. Plot by plot, these volunteers vote yea or nay to changes that will shape Austin. On a night in […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Planning Commission worries new environmental regulations could make housing more expensive
After expressing concerns over the impact of new water quality and drainage regulations on housing affordability, members of the Planning Commission voted Tuesday to form a working group to tackle the code changes before giving a final recommendation to City Council. The rules, which were part of the failed Land Development Code rewrite, would help […]
Posted inPreservation
Historic zoning for Westgate Tower delayed amid concern over tax breaks
The Planning Commission postponed a decision Tuesday on whether the Westgate Tower should be zoned historic due to concern about a tax break for condo owners. Preservationists deem the tower at 1122 Colorado Street historic for its architecture and its association with historical figures. The 26-story, 261-foot-tall building, built in 1966, is an “excellent example […]
Posted inPlanning
Planning Commission forwards heavily amended commercial parkland dedication ordinance
The Planning Commission recommended approval of an ordinance last Tuesday that would require park space in commercial developments or otherwise charge developers a fee to fund parks nearby. The purpose of the ordinance is to “account for the impact of job growth to our park system so that we’re keeping up proportionally with new parkland […]
Posted inPlanning
Planning Commission recommends floodplain redevelopment changes
Despite lingering concerns, the Planning Commission on July 12 recommended a tweak to floodplain regulations that would allow existing businesses within the floodplain to rebuild without special permission from City Council. The rule change would give city staffers the power to approve redevelopment of existing commercial buildings in the floodplain if they are rebuilt to […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission postpones decision on parkland fees for commercial development
Should new commercial developments contribute land and/or money for new parks? If so, how? These were the questions the Planning Commission considered last Tuesday related to a proposed rule that would make offices, retail, hotels and industrial buildings include on-site park space or pay a fee to fund new parks nearby. The push for commercial […]
Posted inHousing
Planning Commission forms housing policy working groups
Amid a housing crisis some say is exacerbated by the city’s Land Development Code, Planning commissioners decided to take matters into their own hands by creating working groups tasked with studying and proposing changes that might help lower the cost of housing. “(The Land Development Code) was bad 10 years ago, and now it’s just […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Planning Commission considers working group to tackle ‘archaic’ land use code
Austin’s Planning Commission is once more dipping its toes into turbulent waters, with plans to form a working group that would tackle small-scale reforms to the 38-year-old Land Development Code. On Tuesday commissioners opted to postpone action for another two weeks to iron out differing opinions over approach. Commissioners aim to reconvene next Tuesday with […]
Posted inLand Development Code
East Austin townhomes move forward with relaxed compatibility
A plan to build townhomes in the Chestnut neighborhood is moving forward with the unanimous blessing of the Planning Commission, which granted permission to build closer to nearby homes than would normally be allowed. Developers of the project at 1400 Cedar Ave. won a waiver from the commission to build 18 feet from the west […]
Posted inZoning
Planning Commission supports first phase of East Austin development
The Planning Commission OK’d a rezoning on May 24 for the first phase of a larger development planned along Hudson Street in East Austin. Ledgestone Development Group plans 97 units in a mix of single-family homes and attached townhomes on several properties spanning 5711 to 5909 Hudson St. To build the project, the developer requests a […]