A decadelong debate over a notorious gate in the Crestview neighborhood is likely to reach its conclusion today, with City Council set to vote on a zoning change that would get rid of the gate at Easy Wind Drive and Morrow Street once and for all. In 2011, the Crestview Neighborhood Association pushed to add […]
Crestview
Crestview is a north central Austin neighborhood bounded by Wooten and West Anderson Lane to the north, Allandale and Burnet Road to the west, Brentwood and Justin Lane to the south and the Highland neighborhood and North Lamar Boulevard to the east.
Posted inPlanning
City works to resolve decadelong feud over Crestview gate
The Austin Transportation Department closed a chapter of Crestview history last Thursday, passing to City Council its recommendation to permanently remove the infamous gate blocking vehicle access from Easy Wind Drive to Morrow Street. The gate, the subject of a decade of neighborhood squabbling, dates back to a 2011 zoning change to placate residents concerned […]
Posted inCourts
Developer wins suit against Crestview neighbors
Mark Dawson Homes has won its lawsuit against the residents of the Crestview neighborhood who tried to enforce an expired restrictive covenant against the developer that might have prevented it from building two homes on one lot at 7801 Mullen Drive. Travis County District Judge Tim Sulak signed the final judgment in favor of Mark […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Just more fake news
Alt-facts… The national press has caught wind of Travis County’s skirmish with Gov. Greg Abbott over immigration policy, for better and worse. Reputable outlets such as CBS News and the Washington Post have deigned to talk to County Judge Sarah Eckhardt about the imbroglio that was sparked by Sheriff Sally Hernandez’s decision to no longer […]
Posted inZoning
More neighbors sued over restrictive covenant
Attorneys for Mark Dawson Homes have made good on the threat to sue 61 homeowners in the Crestview neighborhood’s Meadowlawn subdivision, claiming that the lawsuit is the only avenue they have to remove a restrictive covenant that might prevent the developer from building what it wishes to build on property at 7801 Mullen Drive. Initially, […]
Posted inPlanning
“Pork chop” battle continues between districts
At the intersection of Morrow Street and Lamar Boulevard, a concrete barrier prevents District 4 residents to the east from heading due west into District 7. But the divisions between those who want to see the barrier removed and those who would like to see it remain aren’t as straightforward. In the grand tradition of […]
Posted inCourts
Neighbors sued over restrictive covenant
After threatening to sue a developer for violating a restrictive covenant, 21 members of the Crestview neighborhood were surprised when the developer turned the tables on them, filing suit to have the covenant declared void and seeking up to $100,000 in attorney’s fees from the very neighbors who were attempting to enforce the restrictive covenant. […]
Posted inPreservation
Crestview home finds new life in Del Valle
When the demolition of 1208 Stobaugh St. came before the Historic Landmark Commission in November, it seemed to strike a nerve with Historic Preservation Officer Steve Sadowsky, who – faced with an agenda full of demolitions – urged the city to “stop throwing perfectly good houses in our landfills.” Although the demolitions haven’t slowed over […]
Posted inDevelopment
Korean church rezoning moves at snail’s pace
The struggle persists over the rezoning of the former site of the Korean United Presbyterian Church on Justin Lane. Neighbors who see the possibility of increased traffic and danger to pedestrians continue to clash with those who see the possibility of new sidewalks along with new neighbors. City Council approved Multifamily Residence-3 (MF-3) zoning on […]
Posted inPreservation
Landmark Commission OKs Crestview demo
At its most recent meeting, the Historic Landmark Commission was asked to consider 14 demolitions, which is on the low end of normal this year. One of the few demolitions that didn’t pass on consent was the demolition of 1208 Stobaugh St. in Crestview. Commissioners voted unanimously to release that demolition permit, with Commissioners Terri […]
Posted inDevelopment
Korean church rezoning inspires competing petitions
Last week, the Planning Commission gave its blessing to a new set of plans for redeveloping the former site of the Korean United Presbyterian Church in Crestview. The case will now head to City Council with neighborhood supporters, a list of conditions and a valid petition against it. Developer David Kahn is seeking a zoning […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission delays action on new Crestview church redevelopment proposal
It’s Round 2 in the fight between Crestview neighborhood activists and developer David Kahn. The neighborhood won the first round in May, when City Council declined to endorse Kahn’s request for a zoning change to build a 70,000-square-foot office complex and 10 apartment units on a property formerly occupied by the Korean United Presbyterian Church […]