Planning

City eyes expanded district plan for downtown and beyond

As city leaders prepare for a major overhaul of the Downtown Austin Plan, staff recommendations for the initiative could significantly expand the geographic area and project scope of the city’s long-range strategy for its urban core. A May 9 memo…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • May 15, 2025

From 11th street and beyond, Rally Austin is blazing trails to keep the city's arts scene alive

Plans to revitalize two acres of city-owned land on East 11th Street are finally materializing, as Austin’s Economic Development Corporation makes moves to get brand new mixed-use developments up and running by 2028. Bound by Franklin’s Barbecue to the west…

Planning • By Kali Bramble • May 12, 2025

Council eyes vision plans for north and south transit centers

Vision plans for two major transit centers north and south of Downtown Austin are slated for City Council consideration later this month, capping a lengthy planning and public engagement process under the city’s emerging Equitable Transit-Oriented Development program. The ETOD…

Planning • By Amy Smith • May 8, 2025

Density bonus programs under review to address affordability needs, market conditions

The city is moving forward with reforms to several of its density bonus programs, following the recommendations from an analysis completed earlier this year. A recent presentation to City Council’s Housing and Planning Committee outlined several modifications underway or in…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • May 2, 2025

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Developer appeals denial of right-of-way vacation

The Urban Transportation Commission has rejected a request by the owner of one Old West Austin property to vacate right-of-way after hearing objections from the owners of a neighboring property that would be harmed by the street vacation. Commissioners voted…

Planning • By Jo Clifton • May 1, 2025

Future land use plans for CapMetro sites pick up a recommendation from Planning Commission

A bundle of subtle planning changes around two Capital Metro park-and-rides in North and South Austin may lay the groundwork for a major redevelopment on the sites, and some residents still aren’t happy about it. The Planning Commission voted unanimously…

Planning • By Miles Wall • Apr 29, 2025

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Council committee briefed on proposed LDC amendments for wastewater treatment plant expansion

Austin City Council’s environmental committee received an update Wednesday on the $1 billion expansion of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will require several site-specific variances or amendments to the Land Development Code. The Council last month directed staff…

Planning • By Amy Smith • Apr 24, 2025

Panelists look at the airport's future of 'perpetual' construction

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is expected to remain in a near-perpetual state of construction for the next several decades, as city officials and regional leaders prepare for sustained, long-term growth in air travel demand and economic activity across the Central Texas…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 24, 2025

Planning staff spells out steps for preservation and coordination in 78702 and beyond

The city is preparing to move forward with a long-term planning effort that would coordinate public and cultural investments in a portion of East Austin seen as under threat of gentrification and other growth pressures. A new memo from the…

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Apr 21, 2025

West Campus zoning program set for changes as city plans density-focused upgrade

Austin’s West Campus neighborhood may be about to enter a new era of development, as city staff plan to update a special zoning overlay that has guided new building in the area since the early aughts, according to a presentation…

Planning • By Miles Wall • Apr 15, 2025

Neighbors push back on city plan to direct future land use around Cap Metro sites

A hearing at the Planning Commission on a proposal by city staff to change land use plans around two Capital Metro park-and-ride sites in North and South Austin was postponed during a March 25 meeting after neighborhood advocates raised alarm.…

Planning • By Miles Wall • Apr 2, 2025

A once-banned type of building is back in favor – and the Planning Commission approves

The Planning Commission approved several proposed amendments to an amendment of the city’s Technical Building Code during a meeting March 25, all of which address a peculiar kind of development called a “single-stair,” or “point-access” building. Point-access buildings are so…

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Planning

City eyes expanded district plan for downtown and beyond

Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • May 15, 2025

From 11th street and beyond, Rally Austin is blazing trails to keep the city's arts scene alive

Planning • By Kali Bramble • May 12, 2025