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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,…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 16, 2015
Committee studies expanding CodeNEXT group
At its first meeting Tuesday, the Planning and Neighborhoods Committee dove into the ongoing rewrite of the Land Development Code and looked at a recent push to add more members to the CodeNEXT Advisory Group. Specifically, the committee considered a…
City Council • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 8, 2015
Panel OKs parking cuts for some small apartments
In some parts of the city, accessory apartments on residential properties — called accessory dwelling units, or ADUs — may soon have fewer parking requirements. The Planning Commission Codes and Ordinances Subcommittee voted 2-1 in favor of easing parking requirements…
The Code • By Kara Nuzback • Mar 19, 2015
Commission drops secrecy, shares legal opinion
After some deliberation, the Planning Commission has released the legal interpretation that clarifies how much discretion it must deny subdivisions that include required connections to streets, if the commission disagrees with the connections. The city’s legal opinion, according to a…
Land Development Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 11, 2015
Zimmerman: Fine Code Compliance for losing case
City Council Member Don Zimmerman has proposed a unique punishment for the city’s Code Compliance Department when it loses a case in Municipal Court: It will have to pay. Zimmerman, who has made no secret of his disdain for the…
Austin • By Jo Clifton • Mar 5, 2015
Commission powers to be revealed at next meeting
Although many left thinking they may never know whether Planning Commissioners can approve subdivisions without requiring connectivity, an 11th-hour save means the issue will be discussed, again, at the commission’s next meeting. Much to the disappointment of those who have…
The Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 26, 2015
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City works to smooth out new concrete ordinance
A code amendment that promises to change how the city handles after-hours concrete installation is moving forward. The interim ordinance, passed by City Council in November, is set to expire March 31 without further Council intervention. The city held a…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 24, 2015
Stealth dorm regulations head back to Council
The stealth dorm issue has lived to see another City Council. The Planning Commission took the next step to combat occupancy limit violations at its regular meeting last week. Commissioners voted unanimously to forward a recommendation from the Stealth Dorm…
City Council • By Sunny Sone • Feb 18, 2015
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…
The Code • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 12, 2015
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…
City Hall • By Elizabeth Pagano • Feb 9, 2015
Audit finds short-term rental enforcement lacking
Members of the Council Audit and Finance Committee learned Monday that, though the city has had success in bringing illegal short-term rentals into compliance, those that do not come into compliance are falling through the cracks. On a positive note,…
Austin • By Elizabeth Pagano • Dec 16, 2014
Cultural icon or not, panel says Airstream is still RV
They may have a dedicated following, but under city code Airstream trailers are still recreational vehicles, and parking one in your front yard comes with the same consequences. Andrew Hutton is asking the Board of Adjustment for a variance from…
