For six years, a dock has been jutting out into Lake Austin without technically having the proper permitting to do so in its current form. Since October, Kathleen Huff of 3117 Westlake Drive has been appearing monthly before the Board of Adjustment to plead her case to keep her ornamental cupola and chimney-like raised skylights […]
Lake Austin
Lake Austin is a water reservoir on the Colorado River, and the source of Austin’s drinking water. It was created by the 1939 construction of the Tom Miller Dam and is managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority.
Posted inPlanning
Camelback PUD unanimously passes first reading at Council
In an uncharacteristically quick manner, City Council unanimously passed the first reading of the Camelback Planned Unit Development at Thursday’s meeting. The PUD, which has been the subject of great neighborly debate for the last several months, is a 145-acre property located just to the north of the Austin 360 bridge and comprises two tracts […]
Posted inLand Development Code
At the Environmental Commission, man-made islands get man-made variances
There are few undeveloped lots along Lake Austin. However, those that are find themselves uniquely positioned as a clean slate that is ideal for a new, modern home – except when the lot is the wrong shape. Just underneath Mt. Bonnell on a man-made island is one of these empty plots. The 0.55-acre lot at 4409 […]
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission votes against tram, arguing for safety
Everyone knows the saying, “If everyone jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?” Well, spoiler alert, the answer should be no. Although that was not exactly the question that the Environmental Commission asked at its Aug. 1 meeting, it did contemplate the virtue of granting a variance to allow the property owners at […]
Posted inPlanning
Board of Adjustment determines the price of a view is a variance
Given fierce opposition from a neighbor and unclear stories from an architect, a homeowner and an agent about how a home along the shores of Lake Austin was designed, 6705 Pixie Cove was once again shuffled back into the deck and postponed for another month. After six months of postponements at the Board of Adjustment, […]
Posted inCourts
Party boat owner wins injunction against city
Watertight Endeavors Inc., the owner of three party boats used for weddings, family reunions, high school graduations and similar occasions, has won its first court battle against the city to keep using the Walsh Landing public dock for loading and unloading passengers on Lake Austin. District Judge Karin Crump granted the temporary injunction on Tuesday, […]
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission weighs options, recommends boat dock variance
It is always difficult to plan a project. However, conventional wisdom suggests that when three construction options exist, you pick the path of least resistance and do not select the choice that requires you to seek a variance from City Council. Unless of course, a variance would make the site environmentally superior to its current […]
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission OKs Holdsworth Center PUD
At its Oct. 4 meeting, the Environmental Commission weighed the benefits of allowing the Holdsworth Center planned unit development to go forward in lieu of adhering to the current zoning for single-family residents on a 44-acre swath of undeveloped agricultural land along the shores of Lake Austin. Andrea Bates, environmental program coordinator for the Watershed Protection Department, […]
Posted inThe Code
BoA backs staff on Lake Austin wall
At its most recent meeting, the Board of Adjustment ruled against a Lake Austin homeowner hoping to overturn a staff decision and retain their wall. Though board members expressed sympathy for a frustrating experience with the city and heard testimony that the wall fell under suspicion after complaints by an irritable neighbor, they voted unanimously […]
Posted inEnvironment
Plan to reduce grass carp in Lake Austin sparks new concerns for anglers
Standing next to Lake Austin, watching the wake of passing motorboats lick the shoreline, you likely wouldn’t think there was anything amiss. But just below the water’s surface, many of the creatures that call the reservoir home are struggling for survival. “It’s loss of habitat, it’s loss of food, it’s loss of a lot of […]
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, Environment
Environmental Board gives nod to Lake Austin tram
A homeowner hoping to build a tram to Lake Austin continued his quest through the city’s boards and commissions last week. Chris Pacitti, who owns the home at 70 Pascal Lane, had more luck at the Environmental Board, which recommended his variance request. The Board of Adjustment denied a different request for the same tram […]