The story of the Waller on Swede Hill project and why City Council won’t likely consider historic zoning for the Stasswender House until August is a complicated one. Early this year, in an attempt to stave off a proposed condo development in East Austin, the Swede Hill neighborhood asked the city to consider historic zoning […]
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 inBudget
City planning departments talk budgets
As the city’s budget process gears up, each department is making its way to City Council with its budget for the upcoming year. And in the wake of the Zucker Report, eyes are on what was once the Planning and Development Review Department. Planning and Zoning Director Greg Guernsey and Development Services Director Rodney Gonzales […]
Posted inPreservation
Historic District wins Planning Commission support
The proposed Bluebonnet Hills preservation district was back at City Hall this week. This time, it won the support of the Planning Commissioners. On Tuesday, commission members voted 5-1 to recommend creation of the Bluebonnet Hills Historic District, with Commissioner Brian Roark voting against. Commissioners Jean Stevens, Alfonso Hernandez and Richard Hatfield were absent. The […]
Posted inZoning
Commissioners OK commercial zoning in East Austin
Acknowledging neighborhood support and ties to the community, Planning Commissioners last week recommended a compromised rezoning designation for an East Austin home. The switch will allow commercial use of the property. The commissioners agreed only after expressing concern that allowing one resident the zoning to have office space on the street would embolden developers and those […]
Posted inDevelopment, Zoning
Council to delay Red Bluff Hotel variance hearing
Although City Council members are scheduled to hear an appeal today on a variance granted by the Planning Commission to allow construction of a new hotel on Red Bluff Road in East Austin, staff will likely seek a postponement to do some research. The variance allows construction within the primary setback described in the Waterfront […]
Posted inLand Development Code
ADUs headed back to Codes and Ordinances
After nearly three hours of discussion Tuesday, the city’s Planning Commission opted to send a proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit, or ADU, code amendment back to its Codes and Ordinances subcommittee for a second time. Almost one year ago, City Council approved a resolution to create an Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance designed to make it easier […]
Posted inPlanning
Radio Coffee and Beer wins Planning Commission case
Though there were a number of conditions attached to the approval before it was all said and done, plans to allow liquor sales at Radio Coffee and Beer are moving forward.Planning Commissioners granted a request for a cocktail lounge permit at Radio Coffee and Beer. Radio Coffee and Beer, located at 4204 Manchaca Road, was […]
Posted inThe Code
Planning Commissioners vote to expand powers
Last night, the Planning Commission made clear its power in regard to connectivity and subdivisions. It opted to keep recently controversial code language as-is, and instead offered up a new interpretation of that code. Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of an interpretation of 25-4-151 that will allow the commission discretion to depart from street connectivity in […]
Posted inPreservation
Proposed local historic district in jeopardy
The proposed Bluebonnet Hills Historic District hit another speed bump Tuesday, this time at the Planning Commission. At the end of a lengthy discussion, commissioners opted to postpone the case until May 26. This will give the applicants time to return to the Historic Landmark Commission for a third vote. Though the Historic Landmark Commission […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Planning, Zoning
Planners, residents call for Rainey master plan
The Planning Commission says it will likely deny several property owners’ joint request to vacate land on East Avenue, near Rainey Street, because the area needs a neighborhood plan. Ben Turner of Consort Inc., representing four landowners, asked the commission at its meeting Tuesday to allow a total vacation of 19,700 square feet at the […]
Posted inHousing, Preservation, Zoning
Swede Hill residents ward off condo proposal
The Swede Hill Neighborhood Association scored a victory at Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting when commissioners denied a developer’s zoning change request to allow him to build condominiums in the historic neighborhood. It was the second night in a row that the plan was a topic of discussion at City Hall. In February, after hearing about […]
Posted inAustin, Planning
Planning Commission wants AISD representative
The Planning Commission is looking into adding a new member to the dais to advise its members about how zoning changes might affect Austin schools. At a meeting Tuesday, Commissioner James Nortey said Austin Independent School District President Gina Hinojosa can serve as an ex officio member of the commission. He said the commission had […]