Tag Archives: City of Austin Board of Adjustment
Development
Duplexes to rise again
Board of Adjustment members gave a partial go-ahead to a Rosedale duplex project last week – but it deferred an impervious cover variance for now, pending neighborhood support.Mark Vornberg of Dick Clark and Associates told the board that Diane Howard’s…
Austin
Griffin School variance delayed once again
The Board of Adjustment once again postponed a crucial variance for the Griffin School on Monday. Though some residents of the surrounding Hyde Park neighborhood continue to oppose the variance, board members expressed hope that the details of a compromise…
City Hall
New BoA soldiers on, despite concern
With two member appointments outstanding, the new Board of Adjustment held its first meeting Monday, despite the concerns of a former board member.Assistant City Attorney Brent Lloyd said that, as a rule, in cases that require a majority of votes…
Development
Foundation Communities project back on track after BoA delay
An attempt to thwart construction of Foundation Communities’ Bluebonnet Studios fell flat at the Board of Adjustment on Monday night.Michael Sullivan, who owns the property adjacent to the Bluebonnet Studios site, asked the board to reconsider two city staff code…
Housing
BoA says impervious cover can stay
Though it attached lectures and conditions, the Board of Adjustment has ruled that a Brykerwoods home can keep its impervious cover.The owners of a house at 1800 West 29th St. were seeking a variance to allow the current 53 percent…
Development
BoA torpedoes North Hyde Park ADU variance
As Austin’s accessory dwelling unit ordinance revision enters its second year, those in the city trying to build ADUs continue to have a hard time. That was certainly the case at the Board of Adjustment’s last meeting, during which one North Hyde…
The Code
Popular infill project stalls at BoA
Time invested, neighborhood support and a convoluted city code won’t get you a variance at the Board of Adjustment. But they might buy you a little time.James Schoenbaum is the owner and manager of the proposed development at 614 and…
Austin
Griffin School enrollment causes trouble at City Hall
Last week, Austin’s Griffin School went to the Board of Adjustment to ask for a variance crucial to its continued operation.Griffin is a private liberal arts school at 5000 Martin Ave. in Hyde Park that teaches students in grades 9-12.…
Development
BOA grants variances, effectively denies house
The Board of Adjustment granted variances for one East Austin homeowner Monday night, but that doesn’t mean he will be able to build the home he wants.William Scott Admire, who owns a house at 2012 Hamilton Ave., told the board that without…
Development
BoA to interpret rule on attic dormers next month
For almost a year, the Zilker Neighborhood Association has been waiting for an explanation about McMansion dormers. This week, association members took their questions to the Board of Adjustment and asked for an interpretation.After a discussion of the issue, board…
Land Development Code
BoA approves variance and chides HOA
Rules may be rules, but this week one northwest homeowners association learned that it takes more than dogma to get the Board of Adjustment on board with nudging a backyard shed and foundation.Homeowners Yaguo Wang and her husband, Jian Ku,…
Reporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Appointment drama continues
Casar challenges District 6 appointment … Last Friday, Council Member Greg Casar used the City Council Message Board to announce that he will be asking Council to rescind the District 6 nomination to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, Rebecca Forest.…
Development
BOA denies variances for Lake Austin tram
The Board of Adjustment rejected a request last week from a Lake Austin homeowner seeking to build a tram to a boat dock.Chris Pacitti was seeking variances from the Land Development Code that would have allowed him to construct the…
Development
Neighbor’s garage won’t stop duplex, says board
A neighborhood association bid to overturn a building permit based on a neighbor’s garage lost an appeal at the Board of Adjustment last week.The board voted 6-1 to deny the appeal, with Board Member Stuart Hampton voting in opposition.Board Member Will…
Land Development Code
Board summarily rejects Lake Austin variances
The Board of Adjustment pulled no punches Monday night, but it did knock out a pair of questionable variance requests.Board members swiftly denied two Lake Austin impervious cover requests and brushed off a last-minute withdrawal request that could have allowed…
Land Development Code
BoA seeks answer to impervious cover question
As of last week, the Board of Adjustment was still looking for an explanation for an extra 10 percent of impervious cover in the plans for a Central Austin home.Board members postponed the case for a third time, in search…
Environment
Board rules tree-shielding carport must go
A Cherrywood resident who hoped to save both his cars and his trees found no fix at the Board of Adjustment.Adrian Young, who owns the house at 3216 Lafayette Ave., was seeking a variance to reduce the setback from 15…
Land Development Code
Board rules Allandale Airstream can stay
At least one home in Allandale will remain weird, though the homeowner will have to work hard to obscure it if he doesn’t want to run afoul of city code again.Andrew Hutton was before the Board of Adjustment last December, seeking…
City Hall
No-show is a no-go at the Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment extended no favors to an East Cesar Chavez homeowner who failed to appear at its Monday night meeting. Instead, the board quickly voted against her request for a greater floor-to-area ratio than the McMansion Ordinance allows.Homeowner…
Austin
When is a carport a garage? Ask the BOA
At its last meeting, the Board of Adjustment considered whether staff had made an error by issuing a building permit at 904 Jessie St. David King, on behalf of the Zilker Neighborhood Association, made the appeal. In the end it…