City records are not infallible archives. This reality was evidenced by a variance case at 1901 Westlake Drive, which was postponed last month by the Board of Adjustment in order to dredge up more information on the history of the lot’s shared driveway and whether it – and its accompanying impervious cover – was required. […]
Lake Austin Overlay
The Lake Austin Overlay includes land located within 1000 feet of Lake Austin. Properties within the overlay are subject to development and environmental regulations intended to protect the city’s drinking water supply.
Posted inDevelopment
Board rejects request to construct tram at Lake Austin property
A Lake Austin tram plan stalled at last week’s Environmental Board meeting, where board members worried that their endorsement of the project could set a damaging precedent for the city. Consultant Bruce Aupperle spoke on behalf of the homeowners at 3961 Westlake Drive, who were seeking a variance to allow construction of a tram – […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Local Politics
Council members approve Lake Austin Overlay, shoreline rules
A new set of zoning regulations known as the Lake Austin Overlay got past its first City Council hurdle Thursday night. Council voted on first reading to adopt the regulations, with two more to go before the overlay is adopted. In general, they approved the recommendations backed by the Planning Commission. (See Austin Monitor, […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Planning Commission backs amendments, new Lake Austin Overlay
Upcoming changes for Lake Austin may have gotten a unanimous nod from the Planning Commission, but beneath the placid surface of that recommendation was a lot of consternation. The Planning Commission had discussed the proposed Lake Austin Overlay amendments previously (See Austin Monitor, April 3), but given the magnitude of the changes, decided to […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Planning Commission takes a turn at tackling Lake Austin zoning
It was the Planning Commission’s turn to tackle new Lake Austin regulations last week, and they had questions. The proposed changes are the result of a nearly two-year process of looking at Lake Austin, proposing changes to the code that deals with zoning as well as regulations that detail Boat Dock and Shoreline Regulations. […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
New regulations are coming to Lake Austin, but not quickly.
Environmental Board members took a look at the proposed changes to the Lake Austin Ordinance last week and decided they needed a bit more time and information before they were ready to weigh in. The board voted to table any decision, and send the ordinance to its Water Quality Regulations committee. The panel plans vote […]
Posted inDevelopment
Board of Adjustment gets its feet wet with first Lake Austin ruling
The Board of Adjustment embraced its new role and made its first Lake Austin ruling last week, though some of the members continue to struggle with the practicalities. The board voted in favor of a variance at 2921 Westlake Cove, which is owned by Jay and Martha Gamble. The Gambles were asking for a […]
Posted inDevelopment, Uncategorized
Board of Adjustment does remedial work on Lake Austin regulations
Continuing to grapple with being thrown into the deep end of Lake Austin regulations, the Board of Adjustment took a closer look at their new responsibilities at a specially-called meeting last week. Changes in process flummoxed the board at a previous meeting, where they were surprised to be reviewing a variance for fill on […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Board of Adjustment seeks guidance on new Lake Austin rules
New Lake Austin rules hit members of the Board of Adjustment at their November meeting, causing general befuddlement. After expressing confusion about why they were hearing the case, the board decided on a postponement until Jan. 13 for the variance for existing backfill behind a bulkhead at 3600, 3602 and 3604 Rivercrest Drive. “We’re getting […]