East Austin’s Weather Up Restaurant will have to weather at least another year without late night hours, after an unsuccessful trip to City Council last week. Â In February, the Planning Commission rejected the request for the conditional use permit for Weather Up in an even split. The owners took the case to Council as […]
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, Environment
Planning Commission OKs variance for Lake Austin boat dock
Though they faced criticism from residents on the other side of Lake Austin, the owners of a Rob Roy property are well on the way to getting a boat dock. Â The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve the variance for the dock at 5 Humboldt Lane, with conditions that no trams be built and […]
Posted inDevelopment
Commission initiates code amendment for small lot amnesty
Modifications to the city’s small lot amnesty policy continue to move forward, with a code amendment now on the horizon. The Planning Commission voted unanimously at its last meeting to initiate the code amendment, which will clarify that the small lot amnesty infill tool is intended to allow new development or redevelopment of an […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Split Council rejects high-dollar condos in low-income neighborhood
In a 4-3 vote, the Austin City Council narrowly denied a zoning change to allow for condos on a plot of land at 600 Kemp St., a small road that runs perpendicular to Montopolis Drive. Council Members Laura Morrison, Mike Martinez, Bill Spelman and Kathie Tovo voted against the new zoning. Before the […]
Posted inLocal Politics
Council to look at new rule: Brew beer here, drink beer here
If the Austin City Council approves changes to city code today, thirsty Austinites will be able to drink their beer straight from the source. Last week, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve code changes that will allow beer sales and consumption at breweries. Commissioner Stephen Oliver recused himself. Last June, the Texas […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission won’t amend NCCD to fix permit mistake
The Planning Commission has shot down a city staff scheme to fix a mistake that left a neighborhood business in limbo. Though the request was solely to initiate an amendment to the Hyde Park Neighborhood Conservation Combining District (NCCD,) the Planning Commission declined to wade into those waters at all. The commission voted unanimously […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission nixes plans for Montopolis condo project
Montopolis Neighborhood residents’ fears of gentrification were convincing enough to sway the Planning Commission from endorsing a condominium project last week. Kemp Street Properties LLC was seeking the change from SF-3 zoning to SF-6 zoning on 5.38 acres at 600 Kemp Street in the Montopolis neighborhood. The change would allow construction of 45 condominiums. […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
City Council approves limits on occupancy rates on first reading
After a very long night at its last meeting, the Austin City Council had taken definitive steps toward a reduction of maximum occupancy rates in single-family dwellings. Council voted on first reading to reduce the maximum occupancy from six unrelated persons to four in a vote of 6-1. Council Member Bill Spelman cast the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Appeal allows Co-op to move Dabney-Horne House
There have been plenty of twists and turns along the way, but it looks like plans to move the historic Dabney-Horne House 12 feet are fairly unstoppable, due to a scheduling problem. The case has been in and out of the city’s boards and commissions for some time now. Most recently, the University Co-op […]
Posted inDevelopment
Cascades MUD project finally headed for City Council action
The 10th time proved the charm for the Cascades Municipal Utility District No. 1. The project won the support of the Planning Commission at its last meeting, and has moved on to the City Council. The Planning Commission voted 8-0 to approve the Onion Creek area project, despite objections from the Planning and Development […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Little Woodrow’s on Burnet survives two-year fight to serve alcohol
It certainly wasn’t easy, but the Little Woodrow’s bar on Burnet Road now has the right to serve alcohol. The City Council granted an appeal late Thursday, permitting liquor sales and a waiver that allows parking closer to residential buildings than otherwise allowed. After a lengthy discussion the Council approved that appeal in a […]
Posted inDevelopment
Lower maximum occupancy limits continue to race toward Council
After several attempts at a compromise on lowering maximum occupancy limits, the Planning Commission ultimately struck upon a solution Tuesday night that earned unanimous support. On an 8-0 vote, the commission recommended a citywide occupancy limit of four unrelated people, placing a two-year limit on the change. That time would allow for a solution […]