Competing concerns over facilitating the construction of a medical office and maintaining the character of a quiet area led to a compromise among members of the Zoning and Platting Commission on Jan. 19. The panel voted to recommend rezoning a 1-acre plot of land at 8701 Manchaca Road in South Austin, but attached conditions to […]
South Austin
South Austin is, very roughly, the portion of Austin south of Lady Bird Lake.
Posted inAustin
Austin Habitat for Humanity celebrates new headquarters, CEO
2015 has been an eventful year for Austin Habitat for Humanity. With bright new headquarters and a new leader at the helm, the nonprofit has built itself up into a good position to further help with the issue of affordable housing in Austin. Austin Habitat’s new headquarters at the corner of Highway 71 and South […]
Posted inAISD
AISD begins South Austin academic talks
Even if the Austin Independent School District trustees come to an agreement in December, a new, advanced academic program in South Austin probably will not open its doors until the 2017-2018 school year, said Superintendent Paul Cruz. At the board’s dialogue meeting Monday, despite the lack of District 7 representation, AISD trustees began discussing what […]
Posted inPreservation
Stone cottage demolition leaves confusion behind
Over the weekend, James Retherford was arrested for criminal trespass while trying to stop the demolition of a stone cottage in Bouldin Creek. He was unsuccessful, and the house at 901 Dawson Road is no longer one of the nine intact stone cottages in the neighborhood. The news of the cottage’s demise is especially crushing […]
Posted inPreservation
Council denies landmark designation for Lightsey-Russell House
The yellow-clad neighbors who came out to urge preservation of the Lightsey-Russell House struck a chord with City Council, but not one strong enough to save the 83-year-old home at 1805 Lightsey Road from demolition. With a seemingly heavy heart, Mayor Steve Adler and four other Council members cast votes denying a petition by neighbors […]
Posted inPreservation
Austin to soon have one less A.D. Stenger home
When the Historic Landmark Commission meets later this month, it will not consider whether to grant historic zoning on a Barton Hills home designed by A.D. Stenger. That ship sailed last month, when a bare-bones commission did not have the unanimous votes needed for a postponement. With three commissioners absent and two positions vacant, any […]
Posted inHays County
It’s About Thyme to move: Nursery to be replaced by apartments
A longtime business on Manchaca Road is searching for a new home. It’s About Thyme nursery recently learned that the property on which it sits was sold for $2.8 million. The new business taking over that land? Apartments. Co-owner Diane Winslow recently wrote a letter to friends and customers about the issue. “Dear Friends. Out […]
Posted inPreservation
Stone cottage raises passions at landmark commission
The new owners of one of the stone houses of the Bouldin Creek neighborhood would like to see it demolished to make way for their dream home. But at its last meeting, the Historic Landmark Commission bought a month’s time to see if there might be a way to save the house. Justin and Lauren […]
Posted inPreservation
Lightsey 2 back at City Hall, again
A neighborhood push to landmark a house that will otherwise be demolished to make way for development fell flat at the Planning Commission last week. Planning Commissioners voted 3-5 to designate the Lightsey-Russell House as a historic landmark, which is not enough for a recommendation. Chair Danette Chimenti and commissioners Jean Stevens and Nuria Zaragoza […]
Posted inPreservation
Council members sound off on historic district
The proposed Bluebonnet Hills preservation district took its first step forward at City Council on Thursday. But will it be its last? After several hours of public testimony both for and against, Council voted to approve the district on first reading. The vote was 7-3, with Council members Ellen Troxclair, Don Zimmerman and Pio Renteria […]
Posted inPlanning
Radio Coffee and Beer wins Planning Commission case
Though there were a number of conditions attached to the approval before it was all said and done, plans to allow liquor sales at Radio Coffee and Beer are moving forward.Planning Commissioners granted a request for a cocktail lounge permit at Radio Coffee and Beer. Radio Coffee and Beer, located at 4204 Manchaca Road, was […]
Posted inPreservation
Commission says Lightsey house should stay
The endless struggles of Lightsey 2 made their way through the Historic Landmark Commission on Monday. There, commissioners voted in favor of historic zoning for the main house at 1805 Lightsey Road unanimously, throwing a wrench into plans to demolish the residence to make way for the Lightsey 2 development. Commissioners Terri Myers and Dan […]