Welcome: 2016 zoning fights

If you’ve driven around near-East Austin recently, you may have gotten a glimpse of the next, new zoning fight on the horizon. Yard signs declaring “No More for One Two East” have sprung up in yards around the area, and a quick trip to the URL on those signs shows that the fight will be over a proposal for the lot at 12th Street and I-35 (which is currently home to a large parking lot, CVS and Mexitas Restaurant). According to the website, “Drenner Group and JH West 12th Street Partners LTD have proposed a $200 million project 185 feet in height for the 2.839 acre CVS/Bingo site at East 12th Street and IH-35.” Citing concerns about traffic, the Organization of Central East Austin Neighborhoods is encouraging opponents to show up at the relevant Planning Commission and City Council meetings, which are currently scheduled to take place in January and February, respectively.