The Planning Commission isn’t getting all of the legal advice it needs, according to Stephen Oliver, the newly elected commission chair. City attorneys, who are typically present at the beginning of meetings to give legal opinions on development issues, often depart well before the meetings conclude, leaving commissioners on their own to predict the legal […]
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 inDevelopment, Planning, Zoning
Neighborhood concerns too late to block Montopolis development at Planning Commission
Despite vociferous objections from a neighborhood association leader, the city of Austin’s Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a preliminary plan to construct a 12-home subdivision at 737 Montopolis Road. City staff had recommended approval of the plan – which was brought forward by developer Joe Stafford, owner of Stafford Development LLC – […]
Posted inParks
New parkland dedication fee would “maintain” park-to-person ratio
With recent unanimous approval from members of the city’s Planning Commission, the Parks and Recreation Department says it might soon be able to recalibrate the fee it charges residential developers in lieu of making parkland available. Developers unwilling or unable to put aside park acres in proportion to the amount of land on which they […]
Posted inDevelopment
Worried neighbors win over commissioners in East Austin zoning case
Last week, neighbors stayed past midnight at the Planning Commission to protest a zoning change on “Death Hill,” as it’s locally known. Their concerns about safety, traffic and gentrification in that area of East Austin resonated with commissioners, who overwhelmingly voted to deny the change. Polis Properties LLC is seeking a zoning change for its […]
Posted inPreservation
Home of legendary UT coach remains in limbo
After a trip through the Planning Commission last week, the fate of famed University of Texas track coach Clyde Littlefield’s former house remains uncertain. Commissioners voted 4-3 to deny historic zoning for the West Campus home, with Chair Danette Chimenti and Commissioners Nuria Zaragoza and Jean Stevens voting in opposition. The vote was not enough […]
Posted inPreservation
Lightsey 2 back at City Hall, again
A neighborhood push to landmark a house that will otherwise be demolished to make way for development fell flat at the Planning Commission last week. Planning Commissioners voted 3-5 to designate the Lightsey-Russell House as a historic landmark, which is not enough for a recommendation. Chair Danette Chimenti and commissioners Jean Stevens and Nuria Zaragoza […]
Posted inPlanning
East Austin church relocation shakes up neighbors
East Austin’s Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church is moving, and neighbors are concerned about who might be moving in. Church supporters and people concerned about what new development could mean for their neighborhood packed City Hall on Tuesday night. The existing zoning on the property is general office, and while the church doesn’t want to change […]
Posted inAustin
Springdale Farm conflict moves to AISD
A dispute that was seemingly settled by the Planning Commission made its way to the Austin Independent School District on Monday night after residents surrounding Springdale Farm proactively reached out to trustees during public comment. Springdale Farm, a 5-acre farm located in East Austin at 755 Springdale Road, filed an appeal June 19 after commissioners denied […]
Posted inCity Council
Committee circles accessory dwelling unit changes
The City Council Planning and Neighborhoods Committee took on accessory dwelling units at its Monday meeting. Though members acknowledged they had a lot of work to do on the ADU ordinance, at their most recent meeting they largely steered clear of discussing it, or ADUs in general, and instead focused on what their future discussion […]
Posted inPlanning, Uncategorized
Springdale Farm loses event fight
The question of how an urban farm should be used got heated at a meeting of the Planning Commission on Tuesday when a motion to grant a conditional use permit for outdoor entertainment and off-site parking at East Austin’s Springdale Farm failed. Owners of the 5-acre farm at 755 Springdale Road sought a permit allowing a […]
Posted inDevelopment
East Cesar Chavez hotel fails at Planning Commission
Residents opposed to a proposed 65-room boutique hotel at 1207 East Cesar Chavez St. told the Planning Commission on Tuesday night that they do not want to see their neighborhood become “another Rainey Street.” At the meeting, several residents held signs that read, “Don’t Rain-ey on our Chavez … No East Side Hotel.” Commissioners agreed that […]
Posted inCourts, Development
New lawsuit adds to sour feelings in Swede Hill’s Patch House saga
The owners of a controversial house in East Austin’s Swede Hill neighborhood are taking their fight with the city to a Travis County district court. Last week, lawyers for Blake and Toria English filed a suit against the city of Austin and Austin Energy seeking an injunction against threats to shut off power and orders […]