Stories by Jonathan Lee
Council eyes planning around future light rail stations
City Council is set to adopt a plan next month that will guide how areas around Project Connect transit stations develop. The equitable transit-oriented development policy plan, launched last summer following a $1.65 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration, aims…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 28, 2022
Planning Commission says Council’s compatibility reforms don’t go far enough
The Planning Commission last Tuesday recommended broader changes to compatibility standards than what City Council proposed earlier this year, setting the stage for a Council discussion on Dec. 1 over how much to relax the rule. Compatibility, a rule limiting…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 22, 2022
Planning Commission weighs in on Palm District Plan
The Planning Commission heard a presentation Tuesday on the Palm District Plan, an initiative that aims to guide growth and preserve cultural heritage in a rapidly changing part of downtown. “The overarching vision of the district,” Stevie Greathouse with the…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 21, 2022
Brodie Oaks PUD gets Planning Commission approval
The Planning Commission recommended a proposal Tuesday to transform the Brodie Oaks Shopping Center at South Lamar and Loop 360 into a huge mixed-use development, paving the way for a City Council vote in the coming weeks. The project would…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 18, 2022
City staffers push back on proposed changes to compatibility
A proposal by City Council to reduce compatibility along major streets would make the city’s Land Development Code more complicated while doing little to increase housing supply, city staffers told the Planning Commission last Tuesday. “We’re very supportive of the direction…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 16, 2022
Planning Commission says no to extra parking for bar
The Planning Commission on Tuesday prevented a bar on Manor Road from building extra parking, as members expressed concern over encouraging drinking and driving. “I certainly think that more people driving to bars is not a good idea,” Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 14, 2022
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Planning Commission recommends allowing housing in commercial zoning
The Planning Commission recommended a code change Tuesday to allow housing in more parts of the city. The change, if approved by City Council, would allow housing on 7,474 commercially zoned properties, boosting the city’s housing capacity by up to…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 10, 2022
Statesman PUD nears final approval
The redevelopment proposal for the former Austin American-Statesman site is headed for final approval in the coming weeks after City Council on Thursday approved the planned unit development, or PUD, on second reading. If Council approves the PUD ordinance on…
City Council • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 8, 2022
Buildings over 400 feet tall now allowed around Q2 Stadium
The view from Austin FC’s Q2 Stadium could soon be filled with tall buildings. City Council approved a zoning change on Oct. 27 to allow buildings up to 420 feet in height – about 40 stories – on some properties…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 7, 2022
Planning Commission supports North Austin townhome project
The Planning Commission recommended a rezoning Tuesday for a townhome project in North Austin amid objections from several neighbors. The property in question is a 5.5-acre tract at 10600 Jonwood Way. The owner hopes to rezone the property from Single…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • Oct 31, 2022
Council approves ordinances to strengthen renters’ rights
City Council approved two ordinances Thursday enshrining the right of tenants to organize and to remedy lease violations prior to eviction. As rents in Austin continue to rise, tenant advocates say the ordinances are increasingly necessary to help prevent eviction…
Housing • By Jonathan Lee • Oct 28, 2022
Code change to allow housing on commercial properties
A code change that would allow housing on commercial properties got an initial hearing at the Planning Commission Tuesday. After some discussion, the commission postponed the item until Nov. 8 amid concern over a recommendation by city staffers to not allow…
