City Council has agreed to more than double its contribution toward a water infrastructure project that will service a project that recently disannexed from the western city limits. The unanimous approval of an amendment to the cost participation agreement between the city of Austin and Milestone Community Builders increases the city’s financial contribution by an […]
Save Our Springs Ordinance
A 1992 ordinance to restrict development in the Barton Creek watershed.
Posted inDevelopment
Brodie Oaks redevelopment wins final approval
City Council gave final approval Thursday to the redevelopment of the Brodie Oaks shopping center, which developers envision as a vibrant mixed-use center with retail space, restaurants, offices and residential towers, as well as green space and a hotel. Attorney David Armbrust told the Austin Monitor that developers Barshop & Oles and Lionstone Investments of […]
Posted inEnvironment
Environmental Commission recommends Save Our Springs Ordinance amendment
The city’s Environmental Commission voted on July 5 to recommend an amendment to the Save Our Springs Ordinance that will pave the way for the completion of the long-awaited Barton Springs Bathhouse rehabilitation. The motion passed 10-0, with Commissioner Peter Einhorn absent. At its regular meeting, the commission heard a presentation on the proposed site-specific […]
Posted inPlanning
Brodie Oaks PUD wins second-round approval
City Council last week gave its blessing to the Brodie Oaks Redevelopment Planned Unit Development on second reading and set third reading for July 20. Council Member Ryan Alter, whose District 5 includes the sprawling shopping center, wrote on the City Council Message Board that he had been “deeply engaged with the applicant and staff” […]
Posted inDevelopment
Brodie Oaks developer explains plans
Barshop & Oles and Houston investment firm Lionstone Investments are proposing a complete transformation of the Brodie Oaks shopping center. Their vision, as described to City Council Tuesday by urban planner Rebecca Leonard of Lionheart Places, would transform an old suburban shopping center with large surface parking lots into a mixed-use center with more than […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Code rewrite team says development can help city water problems
The Land Development Code rewrite team has again struck a balance on city priorities. At Thursday’s update with City Council – the last before the draft document goes public Friday – the team outlined its strategy to leverage growth and housing goals in order to protect residents against floods and ensure better water quality. As […]
Posted inPlanning
Environmental Commission recommends SOS amendment for private development
Under the Save Our Springs Ordinance, which was passed in 1992, all land in the Barton Springs Zone is subject to increased development regulation in order to protect the water quality of the springs and the Edwards Aquifer. One of the stipulations of this increased scrutiny is that variances to development restriction are expressly prohibited. […]
Posted inEnvironment
Concerned citizens and commissioners display disapproval at SOS amendments
On Wednesday night, it was standing room only at the Environmental Commission meeting as concerned citizens gathered to express their dissent over the Watershed Protection Department’s seven proposed amendments to the current Land Development Code. Six of these stand-alone amendments were part of a collection of 47 amendments to the development code that were presented […]
Posted inEducation
City, AISD agree on Bowie expansion rules
The city and the Austin Independent School District have reached an agreement on how the district can expand Bowie High School even though it is over the environmentally sensitive Barton Springs Zone of the Edwards Aquifer. City Council voted unanimously at last week’s meeting to adopt the agreement, which includes swapping impervious cover from three […]
Posted inRoads
CTRMA hears SH45 SW impact may be overblown
While many public entities have already voiced their concerns about State Highway 45 Southwest’s possible environmental consequences, a consultant with the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority said the anxiety might be misplaced. At Wednesday’s regular meeting, Michael Barrett presented CTRMA’s board members with an overview of 20 years’ worth of highway stormwater runoff data in Austin. Barrett […]
Posted inDevelopment
Council bounces first project from developer under new ordinance
The city’s first, somewhat rushed test of its new Vested Rights Ordinance is complete and City Council has rejected a developer’s request for a Southwest Austin project. The test came at last week’s meeting, which did not end until after 1 a.m. Friday. Council rejected the request for a Project Consent Agreement that would […]
Posted inDevelopment, Environment, Local Politics
Environmental Board OKs redevelopment in Barton Springs zone
The Environmental Board gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up to redevelopment plans in the Barton Springs Zone Wednesday night. Parkside Community School is moving from its current Toomey Road location, where rising rents have become unmanageable, to a new home at 3207 West Slaughter Lane. The school proposes to rehabilitate what is currently a chemical dependence […]