On Tuesday, Planning Commissioners opted to postpone an item that should clarify whether they have the ability to approve a subdivision without requiring connectivity. But the sea of bright yellow t-shirts at the meeting made it clear that the issue wasn’t going anywhere. The shirts — and the people in them — were also on […]
Planning and Development Review
The Planning and Development Review Department is responsible for Austin’s city planning, preservation, and design. The department also provides development review and inspection services for the city.
Posted inAustin, Development, Zoning
Council to postpone all this week’s zoning cases
After a lengthy discussion at Tuesday’s work session, City Council members decided — without voting — that they would postpone all zoning items on Thursday’s agenda in the expectation that they will have a better understanding of what they are voting on after their briefing on land use issues. Most of the conversation centered around the […]
Posted inCity Council, Development, Local Politics, Planning, Zoning
Zoning lesson raises questions for new Council
With single-member districts up and running, myriad changes are on the horizon at City Hall. Tuesday, some clues about how city staff will tackle the nuts-and-bolts of the transition emerged in what was a largely uneventful mock City Council meeting. As part of Council’s ongoing orientation, Planning and Development Review Department director Greg Guernsey explained […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Local Politics
Fate of Crestview land parcel remains in limbo
Though the fate of an Austin Energy-owned parcel of land in the Crestview neighborhood remains uncertain, there was an update about 6909 Ryan Drive last month. Planning and Development Review Department Director Greg Guernsey wrote the Dec. 10 memo that provided an update on the land, though nothing will be done without City Council initiating action. […]
Posted inAustin, City Council, Local Politics
Kitchen says Council meeting reform is top priority
Though District 5 City Council Member-elect Ann Kitchen ranks affordability, transportation and growth management as her top citywide issues this year, she believes that the new Council should start by streamlining its legislative process. “My first priority is to change how we work with the public,” Kitchen told the Austin Monitor. “I think we immediately […]
Posted inAustin, City Hall, Development
Audit reveals big trouble with PDR fees
A city audit of the Planning and Development Review Department has found that the Office of the City Auditor “cannot provide assurance that development-related fees are charged accurately and consistently.” In one part of the audit, 40 percent of the fee transactions tracked were incorrect. The audit evaluated 30 transactions, and found that 12 were […]
Posted inDevelopment, Zoning
BoA changes designation for two CrossFit facilities
During a dramatic, packed-beyond-capacity special meeting, the Board of Adjustment voted to reverse a previous staff decision and change the land use designation for two CrossFit locations in Brentwood. The new land use designation could potentially put CrossFit Central, 6205 Burnet Road, and BVM CrossFit, 6711 Burnet Lane, out of business at their current locations. […]
Posted inDevelopment
Commission backs middle ground approach to LDC rewrite
Despite disagreement over the best way to move forward with CodeNEXT, the Zoning and Platting Commission has approved city staff’s recommendation for a middle-ground approach to rewriting the Land Development Code. Commissioner Gabriel Rojas was the only commissioner to vote against the item at Tuesday’s meeting, asserting that Planning and Development Review Department staff’s recommendation […]
Posted inDevelopment
South Lamar development problems get closer look
Development in the city’s South Lamar neighborhood may be approaching a tipping point. A recent report could have the city scrambling to make sure it doesn’t capsize. “Are we just going to give up on this neighborhood, or are we going to figure out how to make it work?” asked Council Member Laura Morrison. City […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment
Service extension may signal city’s growth plans
In a move that may signal the city’s future growth plans, City Council has postponed decisions on whether to grant water and wastewater service extension requests for the Stokes Ranch development in the city’s Limited Purpose jurisdiction. Watershed Protection Department staff recommended Council deny the requests. Council voted 6-0 at its regular meeting last Thursday […]