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Development
Move to initiate historic zoning gives Fourth Street preservationists a glimmer of hope
The Historic Landmark Commission hosted a lively public hearing Wednesday with a diverse cast of characters who had gathered to voice their opinions on the controversial redevelopment of Fourth and Colorado. After compelling testimony from both supporters and those opposed,…
Preservation • By Kali Bramble • May 6, 2022
Venue capacity still under negotiation in Austin Opry House rezoning
A proposal to bring back renowned music venue Austin Opry House might have sailed through City Council if not for neighbors concerned about one thing: venue capacity. Because of neighbors fearing traffic and boisterous concertgoers from the proposed 1,200-capacity venue,…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • May 6, 2022
Dirty Martin's among a cluster of businesses slated to be forced out by light-rail line
When Austin voters approved the largest expansion of public transit in the city’s history, they signed up for higher property taxes to help pay for it. But now another cost of Project Connect is coming into focus: the loss of…
Planning • By Nathan Bernier, KUT • May 2, 2022
Council endorses changes to East 11th and 12th street development regulations
Before a troubled history of urban renewal and disinvestment led the city to declare the areas blighted, 11th and 12th streets were once thriving corridors in East Austin’s Black community. Now, the city is shepherding land use changes along the…
Planning • By Jonathan Lee • May 2, 2022
Funding gaps, underground parking price tag plague DAC project
The team behind the Dougherty Arts Center replacement project unveiled design plans for the Butler Shores facility to a room full of applause this past Monday. However, the mood following a parallel reveal at the Design Commission was not quite…
Planning • By Kali Bramble • Apr 29, 2022
Mixed-use project with affordable units coming near Mueller, pending rezoning
The Planning Commission Tuesday supported a rezoning request for a 143-unit, mixed-income, mixed-use development near the Mueller neighborhood. The rezoning concerns two tracts: a 1.2-acre property at 2015 E M. Franklin Ave., home to Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In, and…
Zoning • By Jonathan Lee • Apr 29, 2022
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The value of your Travis County home has gone up a lot. That doesn’t mean your property taxes will.
People who own property in the Austin area recently received new valuations from the local appraisal district. This number, known as your appraised value, estimates what your property would currently sell for in Austin’s record-breaking housing market. The appraisals are…
Housing • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Apr 28, 2022
Advocacy orgs target compatibility, parking requirements in VMU2
As City Council discusses VMU2, a proposal to allow taller buildings on sites zoned Vertical Mixed-Use in exchange for more affordable housing, advocacy groups have rallied to scrap what they say are VMU2’s biggest shortcomings: compatibility and parking requirements. “Eliminating…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Apr 25, 2022
Downtown Commission wants private developer proposals for convention center expansion
The Downtown Commission wants the city to solicit proposals from private developers to pay for a portion of the expansion and reconstruction of the Austin Convention Center. At last week’s meeting, the commission approved a recommendation asking City Council to…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 25, 2022
Iron Bear demolition paused as landmark commission considers historic designation
With its fate far from certain, the proposed demolition of the warehouse that is home to Austin’s Iron Bear has been put on hold after the city’s Historic Landmark Commission initiated historic zoning on the structure. An outpouring of support…
Preservation • By Elizabeth Pagano • Apr 21, 2022
VMU changes not happening anytime soon
Without taking a vote, City Council members decided during Tuesday’s work session that they would postpone Thursday’s vote on the most recent proposals to enhance affordability options within the zoning category known as Vertical Mixed Use, or VMU, and the…
Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Apr 20, 2022
Setback controversy delays East Austin townhomes
A developer planning to build seven townhomes in the Chestnut neighborhood ran into opposition April 12, as neighbors and members of the Planning Commission opposed a request to build closer to single-family homes than allowed by city code. Developer Urban…
