Discovering the flip side of Laura Pressley … Two separate local media outlets started digging deeper into District 4 City Council candidate Laura Pressley’s recent political past Thursday. The Chronicle struck first with a piece from Monitor political editor Jo Clifton that runs down a host of odd beliefs attributed to Pressley, including wide-ranging concerns […]
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, Zoning
Urban farms battle is back at Planning Commission
The fight over urban farms reignited at the Planning Commission on Tuesday night, where a battle took place over whether East Austin’s Springdale Farm should get a zoning change that would allow it to continue to hold events. The owners of Springdale Farm, at 755 Springdale Road, are seeking a change in their conditional overlay, […]
Posted inDevelopment, Transportation
Commission changes position, endorses bike plan
A second visit to the Planning Commission proved much more successful for the Bicycle Master Plan, which will now move on to City Council with a full slate of commission recommendations. The last time Planning Commissioners considered the plan, they did not recommend it to Council. Though commissioners voted 4-1 in its support, that wasn’t […]
Posted inPremium Types
Tip Sheet: Planning Commission 10/28
The City of Austin Planning Commissions meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday. In the interest of saving space, we will not publish the entire agenda here. It is available on the City’s website. Items of interest for Planning Commission include: 1. Plan Amendment: NPA-2014-0016.02 — Springdale Farm Location: 755 Springdale Road, Boggy Creek Watershed, Govalle/Johnston Terrace […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission weighs in on CodeNEXT
Austin’s Land Development Code rewrite continues to move forward, and its first major decision point is almost here. Opticos principal Dan Parolek told the Planning Commission last week that the approach alternatives were an important milestone in the code rewrite process. However, he stressed that the code approach did not actually involve revisions to the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Skyway or the highway for teaching hospital
Things got philosophical when the Planning Commission was asked to approve a sky bridge for Austin’s new teaching hospital last week. Ultimately, practical concerns won out. Commissioners voted 7-1 to approve an “aerial encroachment” for the Seton Healthcare Family facility, near the intersection of 15th and Red River streets. Commissioner Stephen Oliver voted in opposition, […]
Posted inDevelopment
Micro unit ordinance fails to win over commission
A proposed micro unit ordinance got a small amount of support at the Planning Commission last week, but it was not nearly enough to win its recommendation. Commissioners made it clear that they were not opposed to the idea of micro units. However, their concerns about the timing of the change were strong enough that […]
Posted inDevelopment
Development headed to Environmental Board
A controversial South Austin development is on hold for at least another month, after the Planning Commission opted to take the unusual tack of sending the development’s preliminary plan to the Environmental Board for comment. The PSW Real Estate development at 1805 Lightsey Road has come under fire at the Board of Adjustment and during […]
Posted inDevelopment
Tank farm to be transformed into creative collective
A former tank farm tract in East Austin is set to get a hipster makeover, if the city approves its zoning change. The land, located at 1023 Springdale Road, is just under 10 acres. It is currently zoned a combination of Rural Residential (RR) and Community Commercial (GR). Developers are asking for a zoning change […]
Posted inEnvironment
Planning Commission OKs Pease Park Plan
Though protests over the exclusion of a disc golf course in the Pease Park Master Plan continued to ring out at the Planning Commission last week, the plan is moving on to City Council with unanimous support from commissioners. Commissioners voted 6-0 in support of the master plan, with Commissioner James Nortey absent. But it was […]
Posted inDevelopment
Regulating Plan changes split Planning Commission
Citing process concerns, the Planning Commission had no recommendations for amendments to the East Riverside Corridor Regulating Plan last week. Because the 4 acres at 1500 South Pleasant Valley Road are within the ERC regulating plan, developers were asking for a series of amendments to the proposal, not a zoning change that is seen in […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
South Austin development threatens Heritage Trees
Though still in the early stages, a proposed South Austin development continues to draw fire from the city’s various boards and commissions. Last week, concerned citizens asked the city to take a closer look at its compliance with the Heritage Tree Ordinance. The PSW Real Estate development at 1805 Lightsey Road has already faced opposition […]