Though there were hopes that it could help alleviate parking troubles on South Congress Avenue, the Planning Commission shot down a zoning change request by the Congress Avenue Baptist Church at the commission’s most recent meeting. The next stop for the request is the City Council. The church at 1511 South Congress Avenue was […]
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
Measure to set residential occupancy limits headed for City Council
An effort to curb stealth dorms that would radically limit how many unrelated people can live in Austin’s residences is heading quickly back to City Council. This past November Council started the process of limiting occupancy to four unrelated adults in single-family zoned property. Currently, the city puts that limit at six unrelated adults. […]
Posted inDevelopment, Uncategorized
Cascades MUD set for 10th appearance at Planning Commission
A proposed municipal utility district in the Onion Creek area continues to mosey its way to City Council. But first, it will pay a 10th visit to the Planning Commission’s agenda. After discussion, the Planning Commission opted to mull over the potential Cascades Municipal Utility District (MUD) No. 1 just a little longer. A […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Environmental Board worries about subdivision above Barton Springs
The Environmental Board has taken the unusual step of weighing in on a case not formally before them, letting the city know exactly what its members think about a subdivision planned to sit on Little Zilker Creek. The board, though not officially included in the process, was so concerned about a proposed subdivision on Robert […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission opposes ending covenant to allow condos
Prospective developers of an East Austin tract might have to come up with another plan after the Planning Commission declined to recommend terminating a restrictive covenant on the property. Paul Saustraup asked to terminate the restrictive covenant at 1120 Tillery Street. The covenant rolls back zoning from the existing CS-MU-CO-NP to SF-4A-NP on the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Lack of permit allowing alcohol may doom Little Woodrow’s
After the Planning Commission failed to grant its bid for a conditional use permit that would have allowed the establishment to serve alcoholic beverages, the Burnet Road Little Woodrow’s may never come to pass. The bar has faced staunch neighborhood opposition that has not eased since City Council granted a zoning change in March. […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Board of Adjustment seeks guidance on new Lake Austin rules
New Lake Austin rules hit members of the Board of Adjustment at their November meeting, causing general befuddlement. After expressing confusion about why they were hearing the case, the board decided on a postponement until Jan. 13 for the variance for existing backfill behind a bulkhead at 3600, 3602 and 3604 Rivercrest Drive. “We’re getting […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council starts process aimed at putting limits on ‘stealth dorms’
Austin City Council members Thursday unanimously approved a measure that kicks off changes to the occupancy limits for Austin residences. When completed, the move could drop the allowed number of unrelated adults living in one place from the current limitation of six to four. But Council Member Kathie Tovo’s more ambitious set of proposals failed […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
After long debate, Council OKs changes to Urban Farm Ordinance
After hours of discussion, the City Council approved changes to the Urban Farm Ordinance Thursday night, giving East Austin neighborhoods a victory in the battle to stop or prevent slaughtering of fowl and rabbits in single-family neighborhoods—the most important of their demands. The final vote was unanimous. Farmers in single-family neighborhoods were also […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Urban Farm stakeholders try to cut deal on chicken slaughtering
With Council members set to vote on an ordinance that would memorialize city policy in regard to urban farms, at least two stakeholders were pitching a compromise over the hotly contested issue Wednesday afternoon. It remained unclear, however, whether their efforts would win Council approval. Planning Commissioner Richard Hatfield and HausBar Farms owner Dorsey […]
Posted inDevelopment
City studies occupancy limits as latest way to curb stealth dorms
Once again, the city is attempting to tackle stealth dorms. This time they are looking toward a reduction in occupancy rates as one tool to fix the problem. The proposed code amendment would reduce the maximum number of unrelated adults in a single-family structure from six to four. Critics worry that the change could […]
Posted inDevelopment
Burnet Road bar seeks compromise with Allandale neighborhood
The fight over Little Woodrow’s on Burnet Road isn’t over yet. Though the proposed Little Woodrow’s Bar at 5425 Burnet Road managed to earn a zoning change in March, the owners still need a Conditional Use Permit to operate. Since winning the protracted zoning battle at City Council, the restaurant and bar has been […]