Data from the city’s efforts to revitalize the Sixth Street Entertainment District show reductions in violent crime and public safety incidents, according to a new memo summarizing the results of a pilot program launched late last year. A recent memo from Development Services Department leadership to City Council reported a modest, but notable, decline in […]
Development Services Department
A city department that reviews development and inspection services.
Posted inEnvironment
Tree ordinances continue to take root in Austin
Since 2020, Austin’s tree regulations and protections have preserved a total of 1,397,678 inches of trees within city limits. Thus far in Fiscal Year 2025, 4,670 inches of trees have been surveyed and 4,250 inches have been preserved, with 91 percent of inches surveyed being preserved. That’s what the Environmental Commission learned during a presentation […]
Posted inCity Hall
Report finds slashed site plan review times, with further improvements on tap
An analysis of the city’s ongoing work to improve its widely criticized permitting process for building within the city shows substantial improvements in turnaround times for the main types of reviews, with further gains expected as the city moves forward with later phases of its plan. The site plan review process applies to any type […]
Posted inEnvironment
Benefits of urban trees justify projected price tag for city’s tree inventory plan
Funding to conduct an inventory of Austin’s public trees did not make it into this year’s budget as a City Council-approved resolution called for, but city officials say cost recommendations should be ready for the next budget cycle. An Oct. 11 memo from Development Services Director José G. Roig and Parks and Recreation interim Director […]
Posted inCity Hall
Planning Commission calls for reorganization at City Hall
Planning Commission members have unanimously approved a series of budget requests aimed at reforming and streamlining the way their commission is run. Most significantly, the recommendations would establish an Office of the Land Use Commissions that would work with the Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission, and Zoning and Platting Commission. The office would also include […]
Posted inPreservation
City will promote relocation of homes as alternative to demolition
The city has identified a number of ways to increase the relocation and deconstruction of homes as an alternative to demolition that could take place amid the push for more housing on smaller parcels of land. A memo issued last month from José Roig, director of the Development Services Department, and Richard McHale, director of […]
Posted inDevelopment
Will Austin really be the next single-staircase city?
City staff is pushing back on a proposal to allow single stairways for multifamily buildings. City Council unanimously approved a resolution to amend the code and allow multifamily projects up to six stories to have a single staircase in May. The change is intended to support the development of smaller-scale complexes with family-sized apartments and […]
Posted inPreservation
City’s historic preservation commission and code enforcement look to get in sync
After several recent cases that illustrated a divide between the city’s code enforcement policies and historic preservation aims, Historic Landmark Commission members are working to make sure things are more aligned and less hopelessly complicated for property owners who find themselves in the gray area between the two departments. Chair Ben Heimsath explained that they […]
Posted inMusic & Entertainment
Downtown Commission suggests tweaks to ‘agent of change’ noise requirements
The Downtown Commission wants the city to take a more proactive role in a proposed new measure that seeks to address friction over noise levels between new residential developments and existing music venues. Last week’s meeting included a presentation on a pending requirement that would force developers building within 600 feet of a music venue […]
Posted inCity Hall
Audit shows changes needed at Development Services Department
Nearly a decade after a damning evaluation of the city’s planning and development processes resulted in more than 460 recommended changes, a recent audit of two smaller components of the Development Services Department found some steps left incomplete from a pair of more recent reviews. On Wednesday, the Audit and Finance Committee of City Council […]
Posted inDevelopment
Council approves development changes as required by state law
With several new state laws going into effect on Friday, Sept. 1, Austin City Council approved some significant changes to the rules governing the city’s Development Services Department this past Thursday. Most of those changes are aimed at making it easier for developers to get through the city’s often lengthy development review process. The city […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Council hears plan to overhaul site plan review process
Few who have dealt with the city of Austin’s site plan review process would dispute that it’s cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive. But consulting firm McKinsey & Company, which analyzed the process and then outlined improvements for City Council at Tuesday’s work session, has offered statistics demonstrating just how convoluted the process is. For example: The […]