It’s not easy serving on a city land-use commission. If sitting through meetings that often stretch into the early morning hours isn’t bad enough, those who submit to the task are mere volunteers and thus forced to study up on the issues during whatever spare time they have between their day jobs and personal commitments. […]
City of Austin Zoning and Platting Commission
The City of Austin’s Zoning and Platting Commission addresses issues of land use as assigned to it by Austin’s City Code. It has sovereign authority, or the right to make final decisions on certain cases.
Posted inPlanning
HEB asks commission to help neighbors
One after another, the neighbors emphasized that they were not anti-HEB. But in the midst of a pronounced spike in traffic fatalities throughout the city, Park Ridge neighborhood residents came to voice their concerns at a Tuesday meeting of the Zoning and Platting Commission about the increase in traffic that a new grocery store at […]
Posted inPlanning
Zoning Commission delays Austin Oaks PUD indefinitely
The Austin Oaks Planned Unit Development (PUD) drama will live to see many more days. But some members of the Zoning and Platting Commission are not happy about it. “When we heard this case before, on July 7th, we were promised that there would not be another request for postponement,” said Commissioner Jolene Kiolbassa to […]
Posted inDevelopment
When is it OK to postpone a project?
When should a project be postponed? While some commissioners believe projects that are in line with code should be approved quickly, others believe that no project should be OK’d without first hearing from those opposed to it. A debate over a proposed resubdivision on Harbor Village Trail during a Sept. 1 meeting of the Zoning […]
Posted inThe Code
Confusion reigns over Zoning and Platting Commission’s duties
The Zoning and Platting Commission’s attempts to work more closely with the Planning Commission continue to encounter confusion and pushback from commissioners, city staff and City Council. For starters, Chair Gabriel Rojas is still smarting over Council’s decision last month to abolish the Economic and Capital Budget Joint Committee, one of the two joint committees […]
Posted inZoning
ZAP recommends County Line rezoning
Last week, the city’s Zoning and Platting Commission unanimously approved a compromise that will allow County Line on the Lake to operate its patio legally, though it will prohibit outdoor amplified sound. Commissioners voted to recommend requesting a zoning change for County Line Barbeque at 5204 FM 2222. The change, which would impact a 1,812-square-f00t […]
Posted inDevelopment
ZAP delays decision on North Austin subdivision amid neighbor complaints
The Zoning and Platting Commission delayed action on a proposed multiuse development in North Austin after residents from the area showed up to register their disapproval of the anticipated increase in traffic. The commission, which was missing three of its 11 members at the Tuesday meeting, moved to vote on whether to recommend the plan […]
Posted inCity Hall
Land Use Commissions look for more cooperation
What does the overhaul of municipal commissions mean for the future of city planning in Austin? Those involved in development policy at City Hall hope that a larger City Council, which has led to more appointees to both the Planning Commission and the Zoning and Platting Commission, will ease the burden on individual commissioners by […]
Posted inDevelopment, Zoning
Legal questions abound at Zoning Commission meeting
While some city commissioners have been complaining about a lack of support from the city law department during commission meetings, a recent session of the Zoning and Platting Commission showed that the volunteer officials can have a hard time figuring out what they’re allowed to do even when there is a city attorney providing advice. The body […]
Posted inDevelopment, Planning, Zoning
ZAP also suffers from lack of legal input, says commissioner
Planning Commissioners aren’t the only people at City Hall grumbling about the city law department. Jackie Goodman, a former mayoral candidate and former longtime Austin City Council member who is now vice chair of the Zoning and Platting Commission, said she is also frustrated by her panel’s lack of access to city attorneys, who she […]
Posted inDevelopment, Zoning
Commission postpones South Austin rezoning case
A handful of lots at the corner of I-35 and Chaparral Road may become a set of multifamily developments with retail and office space in the near future. But not just yet. After much deliberation, the Zoning and Platting Commission voted 8-1 on July 7 to postpone making recommendations to City Council on two requests […]
Posted inPlanning
Commission approves Cebolla Creek plan
In spite of concerns about potential flooding, the Zoning and Platting Commission approved a preliminary plan July 7 for the proposed Cebolla Creek subdivision near both Onion and Bear creeks. The move came, however, after a failed motion and a tense discussion about the possible repercussions of not approving such a request when the proposed […]