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Development

Panelists discuss size, shape of downtown caps proposed for I-35 expansion

Planners expect the series of multi-acre caps that will eventually cover portions of a reconstructed Interstate 35 to feature compact two- and three-story buildings that could support retail, arts spaces or limited amounts of housing to serve the downtown area.…

New cultural districts could thrive with EDD's planned framework

A pair of long-gestating city initiatives have entertainment and arts proponents eyeing the many new areas around the city that could become cultural districts in the next handful of years. Once enacted, the combination of economic incentives, infrastructure support and…

Valid petitions fail to sway Council in two zoning cases

Last week, City Council approved historic zoning on first reading for a small Folk Victorian house in East Austin over the objection of the owner of the property at 1100 E. Second St. The Planning Commission approved recommending historic zoning…

Council OKs variance to build home in the floodplain

After hearing from the city’s floodplain administrator and the owner of an east side property, City Council unanimously approved two variances to the city’s floodplain regulations on Thursday. Their action will allow property owner Luc Pham to build a house…

City Council approves 2024 Heritage Preservation Grants

On Thursday, City Council approved a list of Heritage Preservation Grants funded by $3.59 million in Hotel Occupancy Tax dollars. The 23 applicants will receive anywhere from $15,000 to $250,000 to fund their proposals, which range from concrete repair projects…

Historic Black church slated for renovation as duplex

As St. Annie African Methodist Episcopal Church prepares to relocate to new digs farther north, the iconic white building that served as its home for over a century is poised to start a new life as a residential duplex. The…

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Short-term rentals come under Tourism Commission scrutiny, with Council action expected this year

Members of the Tourism Commission signaled this week that they intend to ask City Council to pursue new policies covering the short-term rental industry and the proliferation across the city of residences acting as de facto hotels. At Wednesday’s meeting,…

Disability committee targets accessible housing needs for next city budget

Members of the city’s disability committee want to focus requests for next year’s budget on addressing the shortage of housing affordable for those who receive federal or state disability assistance, which typically falls short of the local threshold for affordable…

Foundation Communities seeks emergency funds and eyes coming apartment surge

Affordable housing nonprofit Foundation Communities has put out the call to raise an additional $50,000 to help cover emergency needs for low-income residents at risk of losing their homes. The group, which provides a number of support services to help…

City seeing mixed results halfway through Strategic Housing Blueprint

The city is seeing mixed results halfway through the Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint adopted by City Council in 2017. After five years, the city is on track to meet goals aimed at preserving affordable housing and building new housing in…

Council OKs Affordability Unlocked plan despite neighbors' objections

City Council last week approved a zoning change and neighborhood plan amendment that will allow a developer to build a five-story apartment complex just west of the intersection of South First Street and Eberhart Lane. The vote was 9-0, with…

Council seeks financial assistance for homeowners looking to add units to properties

City Council intends to help homeowners at risk of displacement with a program that will provide down payment assistance to those wishing to add more residential units to their properties. At last Thursday’s meeting, Council approved a resolution directing the…

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