In order to keep the city’s many boards and commissions running on time, City Council must make 500 appointments by June 30. Other groups need to appoint an additional 67 individuals to participate in the process of advising Council on everything from animal welfare to energy and water. As one of its final actions, the […]
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 inLand Development Code, Planning, The Code
Commission drops secrecy, shares legal opinion
After some deliberation, the Planning Commission has released the legal interpretation that clarifies how much discretion it must deny subdivisions that include required connections to streets, if the commission disagrees with the connections. The city’s legal opinion, according to a memo written by Assistant City Attorney Brent Lloyd, is that the land use commission does […]
Posted inCity Council, Zoning
Council approves rezoning on North Lamar lot
Though Mayor Steve Adler warned that the first approval was “tenuous,” a North Lamar rezoning case will move forward after City Council members approved it on first reading Thursday. Council voted 9-2 to approve a rezoning at 11712 North Lamar Blvd., with Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo and Council Member Pio Renteria voting in opposition. […]
Posted inDevelopment, Housing, Zoning
Planners deny East Riverside change
At its most recent meeting, the Planning Commission voted 5-3 to deny zoning changes to several undeveloped lots from 5600 to 7522 Penick Drive, off East Riverside Drive. Ron Thrower of Thrower Design spoke for landowner Bill Greif and asked the commission to rezone the area from Single Family (SF-1) to Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU), which […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Planning, Preservation
Planning Commission OKs Red Bluff Hotel variance
The Planning Commission approved a variance Tuesday that allows the developer of a proposed hotel on Red Bluff Road to build within the primary setbacks of the property, much to the dismay of neighboring residents. Commissioners had previously approved two of the three variances requested by the property owner, Red Bluff Partners LLC, at a […]
Posted inThe Code
Commission powers to be revealed at next meeting
Although many left thinking they may never know whether Planning Commissioners can approve subdivisions without requiring connectivity, an 11th-hour save means the issue will be discussed, again, at the commission’s next meeting. Much to the disappointment of those who have doggedly pursued the issue, Planning Commissioners discussed the section of code and its interpretation in […]
Posted inAustin, Zoning
Planners look at big picture and deny rezoning
After taking a look at the impact of similar businesses nearby, the Planning Commission shot down a South Austin rezoning request at its last meeting. The 0.85 acre lot is located at 4102 and 4200 Manchaca Road. Owner Mitchell Whiddon is asking for a change from the current zoning, which is a combination of Limited […]
Posted inAustin, City Hall, Development, Environment, Water, Zoning
ZAP shoots down variances for Far West parcel
The Zoning and Platting Commission took a hard stance against several requested environmental variances that would allow an Austin resident to build a 3,500-square-foot home on a steep slope at 4316 Far West Blvd. Property owner Ali Tabrizi sought to build a single-family home on the parcel located within the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and […]
Posted inCity Council, Planning, The Code
Stealth dorm regulations head back to Council
The stealth dorm issue has lived to see another City Council. The Planning Commission took the next step to combat occupancy limit violations at its regular meeting last week. Commissioners voted unanimously to forward a recommendation from the Stealth Dorm Working Group to Council. Those recommendations address code compliance, development and nuisance management, and even […]
Posted inDevelopment, Planning
Red Bluff Hotel project will get a second chance
At their most recent meeting, Planning Commissioners took the unusual step of rescinding their previous vote on the planned Red Bluff Hotel. The vote to rescind was unanimous, though commissioners made it clear that they may not support the variance upon reconsideration. Red Bluff Partners LLC was asking for three variances in order to construct […]
Posted inThe Code
Commission powers remain unclear, residents remain agitated
On Tuesday, Planning Commissioners opted to postpone an item that should clarify whether they have the ability to approve a subdivision without requiring connectivity. But the sea of bright yellow t-shirts at the meeting made it clear that the issue wasn’t going anywhere. The shirts — and the people in them — were also on […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Land Development Code, Planning, Zoning
Subcommittee seeks help for ADU changes
The Planning Commission Codes and Ordinances Subcommittee met Thursday to discuss amendments to a city ordinance regarding accessory dwelling units — apartments located on the same property as a house. But city staffer Ming-ru Chu could barely read through the proposed changes before members of the public and committee members were up in arms over […]