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Land Development Code

Water-saving code amendments coming

Years after the city’s Water Forward Committee recommended changes to require on-site water reuse systems for commercial development, an item to put the matter into city regulations appears headed for a City Council agenda in December. Austin Water Assistant Director…

BoA holds off on approval for 'flipped' ADU plan

While a request to build an accessory dwelling unit larger than the existing home was not a sticking point, the lack of a preservation plan for a variance that hinged on preservation did present a problem for the Board of…

Environmental benefits fail to win Board of Adjustment dock variance

The Board of Adjustment has made it clear that “the greater good” isn’t enough when it comes to getting an exception from the city to build a boat dock. The requested variance would allow the owner of 3002 Scenic Drive…

Board of Adjustment offers free advice, grants lot size variance

Small lots are not uncommon in East Austin, so the Board of Adjustment regularly grants variances to allow homeowners to maximize such properties. On Sept. 14, the board once again unanimously granted a variance for small lot amnesty to allow…

Planning Commission approves Ben White rezoning request despite staff concerns

At its meeting last week, the Planning Commission unanimously approved a request to rezone 7135 E. Ben White from Limited Industrial Services (LI) to Multifamily Residence – Moderate-High Density (MF-4). The commission approved the application despite staff concerns that the…

Parking requirements jam up decision at the Board of Adjustment

In Austin, the subject of parking has a way of striking a nerve. So when a proposal for an office project at 43 N. Interstate 35 came before the Board of Adjustment on Aug. 10, board members struggled to come…

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Board of Adjustment considers neighboring trees grounds for variance

Last month, the Board of Adjustment postponed the case for the property at 1711 Waterston Ave. in order for the property owners to cobble together a case presenting a valid hardship. This month, the owners of the Clarksville bungalow returned…

Subdivision change initiated to help homeowner

Council Member Kathie Tovo and her staff have been trying for more than a year to help two constituents in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood solve a complicated subdivision problem that prevents them from building an addition to their 486-square-foot home.…

Board of Adjustment denies sign variance, says it came too early in development process

The north MoPac Expressway by the old Hewlett Packard campus may not appear to be very scenic at first glance. Yet this section of highway is identified as a Scenic Roadway under city regulations, so all road signs must adhere to…

Board of Adjustment says maintaining area character is not sufficient hardship

While neighborhood character is an important aspect of design in a historic neighborhood, it is not the only thing the Board of Adjustment takes into account when considering a variance request to modify a home. Architect Ryan Bollom proposed adding a…

Board of Adjustment debates request to sacrifice heritage tree or waterfront overlay

The Board of Adjustment exists to help residents achieve variances from the Land Development Code’s building regulations, but only if an applicant is willing to provide information and evidence of a valid hardship. Dan Coops, the owner of 71 Julius…

Board of Adjustment calls retroactive variance request a 'cluster'

Although the structure at 1401 E. Third St. is already completed, it cannot pass final inspection due to encroachment into the property’s side setback. In an effort to avoid reconstructing the entire building, the applicant came before the Board of…

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