Tag Archives: Development Services Department
How sound permits regulate the Austin music scene
In the Live Music Capital of the World, sound and noise policy is critical both to those who enjoy the entertainment industry and those who live within earshot. On Wednesday, the city’s Environmental Commission was briefed on the different types…
Music & Entertainment • By Willow Higgins • Dec 3, 2021
With Council approval, DSD to add 41 new workers
City Council on Thursday approved a staff request to hire 41 new reviewers and inspectors in the Development Services Department starting in July, with a goal of having those new employees trained and ready to work by the end of…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Jun 4, 2021
Development Services seeking more staff this summer
The Development Services Department, which conducts inspections and approves permits for new housing, remodeling and commercial construction, is facing an ever-increasing volume of work, as Assistant City Manager Rodney Gonzales and department Director Denise Lucas explained at Tuesday’s City Council…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Jun 3, 2021
Uproar over update of plumbing, mechanical codes
Every four years, the city’s Development Services and Austin Code departments go through a process of updating their technical codes related to plumbing, heating and air-conditioning design, installation and inspection. And with those updates comes a renewal of the battle…
Development • By Jo Clifton • Mar 25, 2021
City says fix the leak now, get the permit later
In an effort to assist residents dealing with the aftereffects of prolonged freezing temperatures, heavy snow and freezing rain, City Council approved an ordinance Thursday waiving residential permitting and development fees for repairing or rebuilding structures and removing downed trees.…
City Council • By Jo Clifton • Feb 26, 2021
Demolition permitting process redesign delayed again
City Council was scheduled to vote on two separate items Thursday as part of a multi-year effort to update the city’s demolition permitting process, but a number of potential flaws surfaced during Council’s discussions over the resolution and ordinance last…
City Council • By Ryan Thornton • Sep 23, 2020
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Springdale Farm project earns variance from Planning Commission
At its Tuesday meeting, the Planning Commission passed an environmental variance for 755 Springdale Road. The applicant, StoryBuilt, has sought the change for more than a year, but the case failed to clear the Environmental Commission earlier this summer due to concerns…
Development • By Nina Hernandez • Aug 14, 2020
City clocks for zoning applications stopped ticking, state deadlines still in effect
A mayoral order issued March 17 effectively paused all deadlines outlined in city code until May 1; however, state deadlines remain in effect. For zoning cases, that means conventional rules are suspended – such as applications appearing before a land…
Development • By Jessi Devenyns • Apr 2, 2020
City clarifies new construction rules
As promised, the city has clarified its new rules for the construction industry under orders asking Austinites to stay home unless necessary. Since Mayor Steve Adler issued shelter-in-place guidelines March 25, the question of which construction is considered essential has…
Development • By Elizabeth Pagano • Mar 31, 2020
Planning, Development Services still operating
Despite the unprecedented challenge presented by the COVID-19 outbreak, the city is attempting to conduct its land use and development services business to keep those processes moving forward. Jerry Rusthoven, leader of the Planning and Zoning Department, told the Austin…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Mar 19, 2020
Former city employee misused computer, email
Last January, members of the city auditor’s investigative team received an allegation that Richard Anderson, a division manager in the Development Services Department, was using his city computer to help him with his other job as an instructor for what…
City Hall • By Jo Clifton • Jan 7, 2020
Demolition permitting revision to get going in 2020
The Development Services Department is behind schedule in its effort to revise the city’s demolition permitting process. The department issued a report with nine recommendations for a new process in October 2018. At the time, the department expected to bring…
