After a debate on how granular the policy should be, the Planning Commission has given its blessing to a series of amendments that will help shape the city’s telework policy. The amendments were initiated by the Planning Commission last year as a change to Austin’s Strategic Mobility Plan. During the height of the pandemic, 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
City hoping to fast-track some changes to land use code
The City Council Housing and Planning Committee last week approved a resolution urging the entire Council to move forward expeditiously with several amendments to the Land Development Code, particularly as they relate to Equitable Transit Oriented Development, called ETOD in city parlance. The resolution is part of proposed Land Development Code changes related to Project […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council to contemplate new bike parking rules this Thursday
Changes to the city’s bicycle parking requirements are headed back to City Council on Thursday with the blessing of the Planning Commission. Commissioners were updated on the code amendments at their most recent meeting. The recent elimination of parking requirements citywide did not impact requirements for bicycle parking. However, it did prod the Urban Transportation […]
Posted inCity Hall
Planning Commission to allow time donation once again
In a return to prepandemic form, speakers at the Planning Commission will once again be able to donate and amass time in order to allow presentations of up to 10 minutes. As of today, in-person speakers can receive donated time that is about double what they would normally be allotted. That means primary speakers will […]
Posted inPreservation
Preservation of East Austin Folk Victorian home advances to City Council
A Historic Landmark Commission-led bid for historic zoning in East Austin won the endorsement of the Planning Commission at its most recent meeting, despite opposition by the owner. Commissioners voted 10-1 in favor of preserving the original footprint of the home, with Commissioner Jennifer Mushtaler voting in opposition. Vice Chair Claire Hempel and Commissioner Alice […]
Posted inHousing
Demography map shows 90,000 new housing units wasn’t enough for Austin’s growth
A new interactive map released by the Planning Department shows some of the ways Austin’s housing supply has changed dramatically over the course of a decade in which the city has become one of the most popular destinations in the U.S. The city Demography Division’s Demography Story Map reflects how even though Austin added 90,000 […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Planning Commission wants more teeth in HOME proposal
After 12 hours of listening to citizens’ suggestions and complaints about the proposed changes to the Land Development Code, known as the HOME initiative, the Planning Commission last week came up with a number of technical recommendations for City Council to consider when adopting the new regulations. Council and the commission held a joint hearing […]
Posted inLand Development Code
HOME proposal draws a crowd of speakers, both pro and con
A total of 297 interested citizens signed up to address a joint meeting of City Council and the Planning Commission on Thursday about proposed changes to the city’s zoning regulations intended to increase the amount of housing available to middle-income residents. Although opponents of the HOME initiative have been loudest in their concerns about what […]
Posted inDevelopment
Green Pastures gets to keep three-year site plan extension
Despite pleas from several neighbors, City Council declined Thursday to overturn a ruling from the Planning Commission granting a three-year extension to a site plan for redevelopment of the historic Green Pastures restaurant and surrounding gardens. The vote was unanimous, with Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison absent. In July, the commission approved a request from the […]
Posted inBicycles
Bike parking gets support in Urban Transportation Commission’s call to end parking requirements
City Council may add changes to bike parking requirements to a November resolution that will finalize the removal of parking minimums from the Land Development Code. The Urban Transportation Commission recently voted to recommend Council adopt the ordinance changes on parking minimums called for in a May resolution, while also in most cases requiring bicycle […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council to consider joint hearing with Planning Commission on code amendments
Mayor Kirk Watson wants everyone in Austin to know that City Council will be holding a hearing on changes to the Land Development Code. Specifically, Council will be considering comments on proposals to allow three units per lot in single-family residential districts, allowing tiny homes and RVs to serve as accessory dwelling units and eliminating […]
Posted inPreservation
Planning Commission takes a pass on District 10 historic zoning recommendation
A bid for historic zoning in Old West Austin left the Planning Commission divided at their most recent meeting. Owners of the Griffin House at 2502 Jarratt Ave. are seeking a historic designation that will protect the home from changes and offer tax abatement in return. Planning commissioners remained split evenly, so the zoning case […]