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Development
Planning Commission wants more teeth in HOME proposal
After 12 hours of listening to citizens’ suggestions and complaints about the proposed changes to the Land Development Code, known as the HOME initiative, the Planning Commission last week came up with a number of technical recommendations for City Council…
Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Nov 21, 2023
'Little Luckenbach' could link Sam's Town Point to $270M South Austin entertainment district
The owner of Sam’s Town Point hopes that a forthcoming mix of “rural retail” – including a farmers market and possible hemp cultivation along with live music offerings on the 10 acres surrounding the popular music venue – could link…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 20, 2023
As Austin grows, real estate leaders look at state of city's character, reputation
There were no explicit Old Austin versus New Austin clashes during a recent discussion among local development leaders about the state of the city’s character, but issues such as diversity and equity, opportunities for area youth and struggles to manage…
Development • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 17, 2023
Environmental Commission ponders HOME initiative
Dave Sullivan, a longtime advocate for environmental causes and a member of the city’s Environmental Commission, offered his colleagues a motion supporting City Council’s proposed HOME initiative at this week’s meeting. According to Sullivan’s motion, last month the commission heard…
Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Nov 17, 2023
City planning revision of density bonus programs
Members of the city’s Housing and Planning Department say they will be hiring a consultant with expertise in creating and using incentives known as density bonuses to help them untangle the city’s myriad, often competing, development programs. Most of those…
Housing • By Jo Clifton • Nov 16, 2023
ABOR report highlights striking disparities in housing affordability
A new report from one of the city’s leading real estate groups is bringing fresh, detailed data that shows how unaffordable housing has become for most local residents. Austin Board of Realtors’ “The Truth About Austin’s Missing Housing” uses industry…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 15, 2023
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City loses second suit over development rules
A group of citizens who sued the city over four ordinances designed to make it easier to develop new housing projects have apparently prevailed on three of the four laws. That means the city will have to go back to…
Courts • By Jo Clifton • Nov 14, 2023
Reclaimed water issue stops PUD from getting final approval
With only six members of City Council voting Thursday in favor of changing plans for the West Parcel of the Hyatt Planned Unit Development at Riverside Drive and South First Street, the developer will have to come back for a…
Zoning • By Jo Clifton • Nov 7, 2023
Panelists debate potential housing supply impacts from HOME initiative
Advocates for more housing options in Austin see hope in recently passed changes in city land use policy intended to increase density, but still hope for more progress in increasing the overall supply of housing available for middle- and lower-income…
Housing • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 6, 2023
Council votes to eliminate off-street parking requirements
City Council voted Thursday to eliminate requirements for minimum amounts of off-street parking on new construction projects, marking a shift in the city’s push to increase the amount of housing stock while decreasing development costs. The amendments to the city’s…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 3, 2023
Austin wants to make relocating a home easier to reduce waste and create affordable housing
In a move to create more options for affordable housing while also reducing waste, the city of Austin is trying to make it easier to relocate homes. When a builder comes in to redevelop a lot, the existing home is…
Housing • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Nov 3, 2023
County contract to help more residents avoid eviction
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a new contract Tuesday with nonprofit El Buen Samaritano to help more Travis County families stay in their homes. The contract is one part of the county’s response to rising eviction rates. In addition…
