Nearly two years ago, the Planning Commission voted 10-1 to recommend a zoning change that would allow a 70-unit apartment building to be built on a vacant lot at 2413 Thornton Road. As is often the case in zoning battles, nearby neighbors objected to a development that they feared would bring additional traffic to an […]
South Lamar Neighborhood Association
Founded in January 2001, SLNA represents the area bounded by Oltorf on the north, the Missouri-Pacific Railroad on the east, Ben White Boulevard on the south, and South Lamar and Manchaca Roads on the west.
Posted inDevelopment
Developer accuses BoA’s King of ethics violations
The city’s Ethics Review Commission will hold a preliminary hearing next Wednesday to determine whether there are “reasonable grounds” to consider an ethics complaint filed against Board of Adjustment member Bryan King. Ross Wilson of PSW Real Estate, which is building duplexes in South Austin, filed the complaint against King. The complaint alleges that although […]
Posted inCity Council
Thornton Road developer nixes zoning request
Developer PSW Real Estate on Wednesday withdrew its request for a change to multifamily (MF-4) zoning for 2413 Thornton Road in South Austin, as well as its application to the neighborhood housing department for participation in the city’s Smart Housing Program. The zoning change is on today’s City Council agenda for third reading. The property […]
Posted inLand Development Code
BoA backs city in ‘structural trellis’ case
A bid to change the way the city allows homes to be attached to each other fell short at the Board of Adjustment’s most recent meeting, despite widespread skepticism toward the central idea that an arbor is a “structural element.” The South Lamar Neighborhood Association asked the board to weigh in on a staff interpretation […]
Posted inPlanning
Planning Commission OKs Thornton apartments over neighbor objections
The increased traffic might not be ideal, but neighbors opposed to a proposed 70-unit apartment building on Thornton Road are getting about as good a deal as they can expect from the land, suggested members of the Planning Commission on Tuesday. The panel voted to recommend a zoning change requested by the developer, PSW Real […]
Posted inZoning
Council shoots down Thornton Road Studios rezoning
A group of artists, musicians and small business owners in South Austin was granted a stay of execution related to its work spaces last Thursday night, when City Council denied a zoning change that would have transformed the property into a new mixed-use development. Jimmy Nassour was seeking a zoning change from Commercial Services (CS) […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission punts controversial Thornton Road project to Council
Neighborhood activists appeared to score a partial victory Tuesday when the Planning Commission voted to forward a controversial proposal for a major development on Thornton Road to City Council without a recommendation. Although a majority of commissioners present voted to deny staff’s recommendation to approve the project, the panel fell one vote short of the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Foundation Communities project back on track after BoA delay
An attempt to thwart construction of Foundation Communities’ Bluebonnet Studios fell flat at the Board of Adjustment on Monday night. Michael Sullivan, who owns the property adjacent to the Bluebonnet Studios site, asked the board to reconsider two city staff code interpretations. The first classified the Bluebonnet Studios at 2301 South Lamar as “congregate living.” […]
Posted inCity Hall, Development
It’s not over till it’s over: Lightsey 2 at Council today
Today, City Council members will consider a resolution that could conclude the saga of a South Austin development that is no stranger to City Hall. The item is another chapter in the seemingly endless saga of the Lightsey 2 development. That development has come under fire from neighbors, who have been battling the development and the […]
Posted inThe Code
Commission powers remain unclear, residents remain agitated
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 […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
South Austin park is nameless no more
Though discussion remained contentious up until the bitter end, the third time proved the charm last week for a once-nameless park in South Austin. City Council christened the park at 3000 Del Curto Road “The Tom Lasseter South Lamar Neighborhood Park” in a vote of 5-2, with Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Council Member Bill Spelman […]
Posted inDevelopment
Board of Adjustment postpones request to ease setbacks on lot
A variance request for an empty lot in South Austin was met with questions from the Board of Adjustment at a recent meeting. Jennifer Garcia of Kimball Bruehl Garcia Estes was representing property owner Robert Lee, requesting a variance for a project slated at 2002 Glen Allen Street. In order to complete the project, […]