Stories by Jessi Devenyns
Faux Victorian windows prompt Historic Landmark Commission to reconsider historic zoning
After initiating a case for historic zoning for the home at 1903 New York Ave., investigations by the city’s Historic Preservation Office revealed at the June 24 meeting of the Historic Landmark Commission that significant alterations in the 1980s compromised…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 9, 2019
ZAP case triggers discussion on affordable housing and transit in North Austin
Northwest Austin is developing quickly. Many of the large tracts of developable land in the far reaches of the city’s jurisdiction, by Farm to Market 620 and Texas State Highway 45, are outside the city limits, which makes it difficult…
Zoning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 8, 2019
'Sensitive' addition prompts Historic Landmark Commission to open historic zoning case
In order to expand a home and obtain room to display a 300-piece Hispanic art collection, the owners of 1216 E. Seventh St. submitted plans to the city to construct a 2,200-square-foot addition to the back side of their 1919…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 8, 2019
Historic Landmark Commission looks for a pitch-perfect roofline solution
The Historic Landmark Commission recently discovered that the design guidelines of a local historic district may not always be practical in real-life situations. When Mike Synowiec, the owner of 305 W. 45th St., came before the commission’s Certificate of Appropriateness…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 5, 2019
I.Q. Hurdle House makes slow but steady progress
The old adage that slow and steady wins the race came into play during a discussion about the status of the I.Q. Hurdle House at the June 24 Historic Landmark Commission meeting. Pam Madere with the Jackson Walker firm, who…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 3, 2019
State Bar accepts complaint against former assistant city attorney
The State Bar of Texas has determined it will be pursuing a formal investigation of former Assistant City Attorney Brent Lloyd. Lloyd was the subject of a complaint filed last month by Board of Adjustment Chair William Burkhardt and former…
Courts • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 3, 2019
Subscribe to our newsletter
City adjusts flood map adjustment timeline
The Atlas 14 study conducted by the National Weather Service indicated that in the immediate future, Central Texas is likely to experience more powerful storm events that will increase flooding by 30 percent. Last fall’s major floods turned scientific conjecture…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 2, 2019
Carbon-reducing concrete could come to Austin
Concrete is the second-largest industrial producer of carbon dioxide in the world, according to the International Energy Agency. Yet it is still one of the most popular building materials. Tom Ennis, the sustainability officer with the Watershed Protection Department, told…
Environment • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 1, 2019
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…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 27, 2019
Commissioner calls modern addition to Masonic Lodge a ‘desecration of an actual landmark’
In a collaborative effort, the Austin-based Mason Chapter of the York Rite began working with the city’s Historic Preservation Office and several local architecture firms to design a structure that would allow the Masons to retain their ancestral lodge on…
Preservation • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 26, 2019
Planning Commission sees its first development trying to 'unlock affordability'
Last May, City Council unanimously passed the Affordability Unlocked bonus program, a density program that loosens site restrictions and promotes the construction of more units in affordable and mixed-income housing developments. This month, the first developer came before the Planning Commission…
Uncategorized • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 25, 2019
City shares reason for Barton Springs' cloudy water last December
After Barton Springs was closed for a few days last December following an unusual level of turbidity in the water, the city immediately began investigating the cause. As the plumes of sediment filling the freshwater pool settled, instruments measuring water…
