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Planning
Seaholm Waterfront study produces a plan that PARD recommends
Seven years ago, the Seaholm Intake building along the shores of Lady Bird Lake was turned over to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, and it has since stood waiting for change. Now, after months of study, community input, and a…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Aug 1, 2018
Board of Adjustment says yes to South Lamar student housing
On July 9, the Board of Adjustment approved the construction of a small university dormitory in the South Lamar neighborhood, despite the concerns of some neighbors that the proposed facility could create parking shortages on a narrow neighborhood street. The…
Planning • By Ryan Young • Jul 25, 2018
Critical water quality zone crossing approved for the second time
Sometimes for development projects, it’s the second time that’s the charm. Over a decade ago, developers of a 42-acre tract of land at 1322 W. Dittmar Road received a variance to construct a private drive across a critical water quality…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 25, 2018
Views along scenic RM 2222 to remain unspoiled
At the July 9 Board of Adjustment meeting, the board rejected a variance request to adorn a scenic roadway with a monument. Park Centre, an office park located at 8601 RM 2222, sought to construct an additional “monument sign” for a…
Planning • By Ryan Young • Jul 20, 2018
Board of Adjustment fights over North Loop parking space
Parking was a major sticking point at the July 9 Board of Adjustment meeting, where board members tackled the lack of parking at one particular North Loop property, exposing a rift in Austin’s current transportation thinking. Lauren and Joe Cunningham…
Planning • By Ryan Young • Jul 18, 2018
Winnebago tract could blossom with Urban Roots agreement
The city is exploring a possible deal that would see the 9-acre East Austin parcel widely known as the Winnebago tract used as a site for urban farming, job training and possible collaboration with Austin’s arts community. Council approved a…
Planning • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 13, 2018
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Environmental Commission fails to approve variance based on traffic concerns
In a subdivision, how much density is too dense? Although not typically a question the Environmental Commission considers, it is one that became the crux of the discussion around a variance request at its June 20 meeting due to the…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 9, 2018
East side subdivision evokes legacy of racist deed restrictions
There wasn’t much the Planning Commission could do about the subdivision sought by the the owner of an acre of land at 4520 Rimrock Trail, near the Morris Williams Golf Course. The commission was legally required to approve the owner’s…
Planning • By Jack Craver • Jun 25, 2018
Board of Adjustment determines the price of a view is a variance
Given fierce opposition from a neighbor and unclear stories from an architect, a homeowner and an agent about how a home along the shores of Lake Austin was designed, 6705 Pixie Cove was once again shuffled back into the deck…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • Jun 13, 2018
South Central Waterfront's environmental standards approved by Environmental Commission
After years of planning on paper, the South Central Waterfront Regulating Plan is finally one step closer to reality after the Environmental Commission recommended the associated environmental development standards to City Council. Along the shores of Lady Bird Lake, there…
Planning • By Jessi Devenyns • May 25, 2018
City planners picture fewer cars on Congress
Imagine if the main street of Texas had wider sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes and no pull-in parking spaces. That’s one potential outcome of the city of Austin’s Congress Avenue Urban Design Initiative. Last week, the Public Works and Planning and…
Planning • By Caleb Pritchard • May 21, 2018
North Shoal Creek plan put on hold
Despite an overwhelming workload courtesy of CodeNEXT, Planning Commissioners managed to spend more than three hours discussing a plan centered on just one neighborhood at its most recent regular meeting. Neighbors have been pushing for a North Shoal Creek Neighborhood…
