Most of the Planning Commissioners were attending their first meeting last week. After initial introductions, they quickly found themselves in the deep end, when they were asked to consider the fate of East Austin’s Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The case is fairly complicated on its own, and staff errors on church properties at both […]
East Austin
East Austin is the quadrant of Austin that, generally speaking, is east of IH-35.
Posted inDevelopment
Worried neighbors win over commissioners in East Austin zoning case
Last week, neighbors stayed past midnight at the Planning Commission to protest a zoning change on “Death Hill,” as it’s locally known. Their concerns about safety, traffic and gentrification in that area of East Austin resonated with commissioners, who overwhelmingly voted to deny the change. Polis Properties LLC is seeking a zoning change for its […]
Posted inPreservation
Chestnut house will stay put, for now
Last week, an East Austin house got a temporary stay of relocation at the Historic Landmark Commission. Though the owner would like to see the house relocated to make way for more houses, the neighborhood and commission are certain that an alternate plan could be found, giving the house another month in its current location. […]
Posted inPlanning
East Austin church relocation shakes up neighbors
East Austin’s Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church is moving, and neighbors are concerned about who might be moving in. Church supporters and people concerned about what new development could mean for their neighborhood packed City Hall on Tuesday night. The existing zoning on the property is general office, and while the church doesn’t want to change […]
Posted inAustin
Springdale Farm conflict moves to AISD
A dispute that was seemingly settled by the Planning Commission made its way to the Austin Independent School District on Monday night after residents surrounding Springdale Farm proactively reached out to trustees during public comment. Springdale Farm, a 5-acre farm located in East Austin at 755 Springdale Road, filed an appeal June 19 after commissioners denied […]
Posted inPlanning
Council OKs mixed-use zoning on E. Fifth St.
With the blessing of the neighborhood contact team, city staff and the Planning Commission, City Council unanimously approved a request for mixed-use zoning in East Austin last week, despite a valid petition from some neighbors. The property in question is located at 2901 East Fifth St. Though city staff describes East Fifth Street as primarily […]
Posted inDevelopment
East Cesar Chavez hotel fails at Planning Commission
Residents opposed to a proposed 65-room boutique hotel at 1207 East Cesar Chavez St. told the Planning Commission on Tuesday night that they do not want to see their neighborhood become “another Rainey Street.” At the meeting, several residents held signs that read, “Don’t Rain-ey on our Chavez … No East Side Hotel.” Commissioners agreed that […]
Posted inCourts, Development
New lawsuit adds to sour feelings in Swede Hill’s Patch House saga
The owners of a controversial house in East Austin’s Swede Hill neighborhood are taking their fight with the city to a Travis County district court. Last week, lawyers for Blake and Toria English filed a suit against the city of Austin and Austin Energy seeking an injunction against threats to shut off power and orders […]
Posted inDevelopment
BOA grants variances, effectively denies house
The Board of Adjustment granted variances for one East Austin homeowner Monday night, but that doesn’t mean he will be able to build the home he wants. William Scott Admire, who owns a house at 2012 Hamilton Ave., told the board that without a variance that lot is “useless.” He was requesting the same treatment that would be […]
Posted inPreservation
Tricky East Austin case gets more complicated
The story of the Waller on Swede Hill project and why City Council won’t likely consider historic zoning for the Stasswender House until August is a complicated one. Early this year, in an attempt to stave off a proposed condo development in East Austin, the Swede Hill neighborhood asked the city to consider historic zoning […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Austin City Council 5.28.15
The Austin City Council will meet Thursday. Below is a list of items we’re watching. In the interest of space, we’ve decided not to post the entire agenda here. The Office of the City Clerk hosts a copy at its website, here. 1. Approve third reading of an ordinance amending the electric rate schedules in […]
Posted inAustin
Economic development proposals going to task force
Mayor Steve Adler pushed for and won more time to consider an economic development plan for East Austin on Thursday. The plan will go along with consideration of an agreement to create PGA-style golf courses at Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park. Decker Lake Golf LLC is seeking a 50-year license agreement in order to develop […]