An overhaul of Austin’s sidewalk regulations took a small but significant step forward Wednesday night after a vote held by a lesser-known body. The Planning and Zoning and Platting commissions’ Codes and Ordinances Joint Committee recommended the initiation of changes to the city code that, among other things, could introduce fines to property owners who […]
CoA Planning Commission Codes & Ordinances Committee
A sub-committee charged with reviewing land use code amendments.
Posted inHousing
Tenant relocation assistance program moves forward
In recognition of urgent community need, the Planning Commission’s Committee on Codes and Ordinances voted unanimously to push forward with a proposed tenant relocation assistance program, despite the lack of a draft ordinance at the meeting. As requested by City Council in April, the reworked ordinance adds mobile home residents to the list of tenants […]
Posted inThe Code
Proposed ordinance puts charter schools at odds with neighborhoods
Though they gave it a shot, members of the Planning Commission’s Committee on Codes and Ordinances were unable to reach an agreement on what to do with the draft ordinance that would remove site development plan exemptions for charter schools. Andrew Linseisen, the Land Use Review Division manager in the city’s Development Services Department, told […]
Posted inThe Code
Committee loosens requirements for ADUs
Members of the Committee on Codes and Ordinances voted Tuesday to make it easier for residents to build accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. The ordinance, approved on a unanimous vote, does away with many of the parking provisions some said were inhibitive. Committee members Stephen Oliver and Jean Stevens were absent. The ordinance eliminates a […]
Posted inLand Development Code
ADUs headed back to Codes and Ordinances
After nearly three hours of discussion Tuesday, the city’s Planning Commission opted to send a proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit, or ADU, code amendment back to its Codes and Ordinances subcommittee for a second time. Almost one year ago, City Council approved a resolution to create an Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance designed to make it easier […]
Posted inThe Code
Panel OKs parking cuts for some small apartments
In some parts of the city, accessory apartments on residential properties — called accessory dwelling units, or ADUs — may soon have fewer parking requirements. The Planning Commission Codes and Ordinances Subcommittee voted 2-1 in favor of easing parking requirements for ADUs in most of the city. A motion made by subcommittee member Stephen Oliver […]
Posted inAustin, Music & Entertainment, Zoning
City fails to patch SXSW crash-pad issue
An East Austin home whose lease holders are housing musicians in exchange for promotion on social media has city officials flummoxed. Neighbors of the Waller Street property argue that it is an inappropriate use of the house, which is zoned residential. Officials are still investigating whether they are treating the property as commercial, as a short-term […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Land Development Code, Planning, Zoning
Subcommittee seeks help for ADU changes
The Planning Commission Codes and Ordinances Subcommittee met Thursday to discuss amendments to a city ordinance regarding accessory dwelling units — apartments located on the same property as a house. But city staffer Ming-ru Chu could barely read through the proposed changes before members of the public and committee members were up in arms over […]
Posted inAustin, Development, Local Politics
Subcommittee meeting on ADUs canceled
A meeting of the Planning Commission Codes and Ordinances Subcommittee was canceled Tuesday because not enough members showed up. Voting members James Nortey, Jean Stevens and Nuria Zaragoza along with ex officio member Jeff Jack waited 30 minutes after the 6 p.m. start time before calling it quits. Nortey said he would try to organize […]
Posted inCity Hall, Development, The Code
Accessory dwelling unit change stalls in committee
The City of Austin wants to make it easier for residents to establish accessory dwelling units — or ADUs — such as garage apartments on their property in order to create more housing in the city center. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Planning Commission’s Committee on Codes and Ordinances, residents spoke out against the changes primarily […]
Posted inDevelopment
Panel signs off on changes to SMART housing program
Potential changes to the city’s SMART housing program are making their way back to City Council. The Planning Commission Codes and Ordinances Committee looked at the changes last week, voting unanimously to send them on to the full commission with their support. The changes, which would revise the “T” in SMART, could change the standards […]
Posted inDevelopment
Committee says Austin not ready for micro units
Though they may not be a bad idea, it just may not be the right time for micro units in Austin. That was the sentiment at the Planning Commission Codes and Ordinances committee Tuesday, where commissioners voted unanimously to deny recommending a code amendment that would reduce barriers to building micro units in the city. […]