A final attempt to stop the construction of a large second home in the Robertson/Stuart & Mair Historic District failed at City Council last week, despite concerns that its approval could set a worrying precedent for local historic districts citywide. The home is planned in the neighborhood roughly between the French Legation and the Texas […]
McMansion Ordinance (subchapter F)
In 2006, Austin implemented the McMansion Ordinance in an attempt to limit the mass of new construction in some areas of the city. The ordinance does so by limiting things like floor-to-area ratio and impervious cover, as well as establishing design standards for larger homes.
Posted inPlanning
Council votes down attempt to revisit McMansion exemption
An amendment that some hoped would lead to more clarity in the McMansion Ordinance only seemed to lead to greater confusion at a City Council meeting on Oct. 6. The McMansion Ordinance was passed in order to prevent developers from building oversized houses on small lots. But the complicated ordinance has led to some confusion, […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Carport/garage rules lose traction at commission
Given a Planning Commission vote and a range of opposition willing to stay late to fight, it seems unlikely that McMansion rules on carports and garages will be changing any time soon. At their most recent meeting, Planning Commissioners considered an amendment that would change part of Subchaper F, aka the McMansion Ordinance, that eliminates […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Clarksville home gets its basement at the BoA
Though not everyone was thrilled by the news, plans for a new home in Clarksville are moving forward as proposed after a variance from the Board of Adjustment. Matt Fajkus, who is the architect for the project, spoke on behalf of Jennifer Parker, the owner of 806 Patterson Ave. He explained that they were requesting […]
Posted inDevelopment
Duplexes to rise again
Board of Adjustment members gave a partial go-ahead to a Rosedale duplex project last week – but it deferred an impervious cover variance for now, pending neighborhood support. Mark Vornberg of Dick Clark and Associates told the board that Diane Howard’s family had owned the land at 4705 and 4707 Rosedale Ave. for more than […]
Posted inDevelopment, The Code
BoA to interpret rule on attic dormers next month
For almost a year, the Zilker Neighborhood Association has been waiting for an explanation about McMansion dormers. This week, association members took their questions to the Board of Adjustment and asked for an interpretation. After a discussion of the issue, board members voted unanimously to postpone the item until their May 8 meeting to ensure […]
Posted inCity Council, Development, Zoning
Council approves garage over McMansion rules
Despite some concerns that the case was one of many headed its way, City Council approved an appeal Thursday that will allow a Bouldin Creek house to retain a garage instead of forcing the homeowners to revert to the allowed carport they once had. Gregory Bow and Simmi Metha, who own the house at 905 […]
Posted inCity Hall, The Code
Doomed commission awaits marching orders
Urging its own demise, the Residential Design and Compatibility Commission took some time during its most recent meeting to see whether its dissolution had made headway over the past couple of months. City Council passed a resolution to dissolve the RDCC in December and directed city staff to initiate code amendments that will ultimately return […]
Posted inDevelopment
Carport turned garage still out of code in Zilker
An attempt to expand the McMansion ordinance in the Zilker neighborhood fell flat at City Council last month. David Cancialosi was representing the owners of 903 Ethel St., who were appealing the denial of a waiver at the Residential Design and Compatibility Commission. That waiver, if granted, would allow them to increase the maximum allowed […]
Posted inDevelopment
BoA bounces Hyde Park B&B case back to Planning Commission
The owners of the Adams House Bed-and-Breakfast might be feeling a bit like a pinball, being bounced back and forth between two city boards, neither of which appears to want to deal with their issue. The innkeepers, already dealing with a procedural error by city staff, are looking for someone who will allow them to […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs lower occupancy limits for new housing
Austin City Council members Thursday approved a downward adjustment in occupancy limits citywide, a move that drops the maximum number of unrelated adults that can live at a given address from six to four. The vote was 6-1 with Council Member Bill Spelman casting the lone ‘no’ vote. Existing houses and duplexes will not […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
City Council approves limits on occupancy rates on first reading
After a very long night at its last meeting, the Austin City Council had taken definitive steps toward a reduction of maximum occupancy rates in single-family dwellings. Council voted on first reading to reduce the maximum occupancy from six unrelated persons to four in a vote of 6-1. Council Member Bill Spelman cast the […]