With only four members on the dais, the Zoning and Platting Commission granted a neighborhood appeal of an extension of a site plan review by default last week. Commissioners voted 3-1 to deny the appeal, but because they need a minimum of 4 votes to take action, that vote amounted to an approval of […]
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 inDevelopment
ZAP reluctantly approves new subdivision for Steiner Ranch
A small rebellion at the Zoning and Platting Commission was thwarted last week, with commissioners acquiescing to code and, in the end, approving a Steiner Ranch subdivision. Previously, the commission had rejected the subdivision, citing health and safety concerns. Armbrust and Brown attorney Richard Suttle told the commission that, despite their concerns about traffic […]
Posted inDevelopment, Resources
Zoning and Planning Commission OKs water treatment plant variances
A proposed water treatment plant for Travis County Water Control and Improvement District 17 continues to clear city hurdles, despite staff’s concerns. This past Tuesday, the Zoning and Platting Commission voted to approve variances that will allow increased impervious cover, reduced natural area and more building height. Commissioners voted 5-1 in favor of the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Proposed Northwest Austin restaurant fails to get ZAP backing
An even split at the Zoning and Platting Commission wasn’t enough to get a recommendation for a proposed Northwest Austin restaurant Tuesday night. Developer Twelve Lakes LLC hopes to build the Austin Oaks Restaurant at 7601 Wood Hollow Drive. In order to do that, they will need a variance in order to build less […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Government
ZAP denies fill variance for property in city’s northwest ETJ
The Zoning and Platting Commission, following the Environmental Board‘s lead and staff’s counsel, denied a variance Tuesday for a north Austin property that has been in violation of city regulations for years. The site, at 15101 Debba Drive, is in the far northwest portion of the city‘s extraterritorial jurisdiction. Owner Marc Pate Construction was […]
Posted inDevelopment
ZAP approves multifamily zoning despite Rob Roy opposition
A gamble on a reduced Zoning and Platting Commission paid off for developers of a controversial West Austin project. The property is currently undeveloped and located at 800 North Capital of Texas Highway, also known as Loop 360. The land is part of the Davenport West Ranch Planned Unit Development, and currently designated as “office.” […]
Posted inDevelopment, Uncategorized
ZAP cites density issues in denying planned Steiner Ranch project
The last residential project proposed for the Steiner Ranch development failed to win over a concerned Zoning and Platting Commission last month. “It’s like we’re holding this hostage, and that’s really not appropriate… (But) I don’t want to read the paper and see that some action this commission could have avoided or done differently […]
Posted inDevelopment
Commission recommends zoning change for 13-acre tract in South Austin
With Election Night activities going on elsewhere, the Zoning and Platting Commission had a quiet meeting Tuesday, focusing on a single case in Southwest Austin. The Sawmill Drive property that the panel considered is just northwest of the Oak Parke Subdivision and south of Bowie High School. Currently zoned Interim Rural Residence, the lot […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Environmental Board denies variance, orders fill removed from lot
Though it has been in place for years, the Environmental Board definitively shut down a variance request that would have allowed a huge amount of fill to remain in northeast Austin. Instead, the board recommended that that fill be removed, despite protests from the owner. The board voted 5-1 to deny the variance, with […]
Posted inDevelopment, Uncategorized
ZAP denies contentious rezoning request at Balcones Country Club
Opponents of a bid to develop Balcones Country Club land won a unanimous victory at the Zoning and Platting Commission last week. The Balcones Country Club Membership Association brought forward the proposal to rezone four lots from Rural Residential to SF-1. Currently, the land is undeveloped and considered part of the Balcones Country Club […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Eastside juice bar gets go-ahead despite some Council misgivings
Despite hand-wringing over the prospect of a drive-though in far East Austin, a modest juice bar proposal emerged unscathed from City Council consideration last week. “Here’s a guy trying to make a go of a small business. Everybody knows that he is going to get more business if he has this extra capability to […]