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Tag Archives: Development Services Department
Many, but not all, development fees to climb
Last year, Rodney Gonzales, director of Austin’s Development Services Department, asked Council to fund an additional 50 employees to increase his department’s efficiency in dealing with a multitude of permits, reviews and inspections. Council killed the plan by postponing it.…
Development • By Jo Clifton • Sep 18, 2018
Development Services preliminary budget asks for 50 new employees
According to the 2017 customer satisfaction poll by the Development Services Department, the time it takes to complete the inspection process was ranked as the most important component but had the lowest satisfaction rating. In an effort to change that…
Development • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 7, 2018
Despite progress, builders complain of long waits for permits
Among the many factors blamed for Austin’s affordability crisis are the city’s notoriously complicated development regulations. The development review process is so cumbersome, critics say, that builders have to hire agents to get their permits approved, creating a cost that…
Development • By Jack Craver • Aug 21, 2018
Reporter's Notebook: Communication
They don’t want to talk to you… Staff from the Development Services Department repeatedly told members of the Zoning and Platting Commission at their Tuesday meeting that they were legally obligated to approve a site plan for the controversial Champion…
Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Jul 23, 2018
City proposes ways to reduce permitting costs for homeowners
In November of last year, City Council approved a resolution aimed at making it easier and cheaper for homeowners to repair or renovate their houses. The resolution asked the Development Services Department to consider setting up a separate, simpler permitting…
Housing • By Jack Craver • Apr 10, 2018
Austin could change the way it issues demolition permits
As the number of demolitions soars in Austin, the city is considering changing the way it issues permits to make sure teardowns are done safely and people affected are properly notified. Since 2010, the number of demolition permits issued in…
Planning • By Syeda Hasan • Mar 7, 2018
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City to lease Ben White space for DSD, AE
Last week, City Council authorized negotiation and execution of a seven-year lease for a little less than 60,000 square feet at 5202 E. Ben White Blvd. The building will house about 100 employees from Austin Energy and 93 employees from…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Oct 5, 2017
Plan for new development services staff on hold
Along the way to passing a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, City Council voted Tuesday to derail the Development Services Department’s plan to hire 51 new employees beginning in either January or March. The department has said it needed…
Development • By Jo Clifton • Sep 13, 2017
Council members concerned about fees for ADUs
Council Member Delia Garza is worried that proposed increases in building fees are going to hit middle-income homeowners who are seeking to build accessory dwelling units the hardest. At a Thursday City Council meeting over the proposed budget for the…
Housing • By Jack Craver • Sep 8, 2017
Audit shows big problems with demo permitting
The Office of the City Auditor has found that the city’s demolition permitting process is not designed efficiently and contains gaps that allow unsafe practices during demolition. According to an audit approved by the City Council Audit and Finance Committee…
Development • By Jo Clifton • Aug 23, 2017
Reporter's Notebook: Lessons learned
A parking pittance… Members of City Council listening to a lengthy presentation on the Development Services Department budget Wednesday didn’t suggest any major changes to the way the department is running or spending its money. But a number of Council…
Reporters' Notebook • By Austin Monitor • Aug 21, 2017
Council OKs rules for expedited permitting
Working with advocates for developers and construction workers, City Council Member Greg Casar carefully negotiated the details of an ordinance requiring developers of large commercial projects to pay a living wage and follow other rules set forth in the Better…
