AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 PM City of Austin Permitting and Development Center 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Room 1405 Event Center Austin, TX 78752 CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Sharon Mays, Chair Joy Casnovsky, Vice Chair Andrea Abel Joi Chevalier Kacey Hanson Karen Magid Emily Nicola DeMaria Ryan Rosshirt Ellen Sweets AGENDA CALL TO ORDER and Introduction of new board member CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST MEETING 2. STAFF and COMMUNITY BRIEFINGS a. Food System Planning Updates, Edwin Marty, Food Policy Manager, City of Austin 3. OLD BUSINESS b. Board Infrastructure & Protocol i. Review Board Members’ meetings with City and County Officials c. Board vacancies and appointments d. Review Prior Board Recommendations and Discuss City and County Budgets e. Community Engagement 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion of Strategic Planning for October b. Working Group Briefings and Recommendations i. Healthy Food Access to All Communities ii. Governance iii. Food and Climate iv. Build Opportunities for Food Entrepreneurs v. Support Farms & Farmers vi. COVID-19 Food System Response c. Review of Board Member Assignments FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Amanda Rohlich at Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-1364 at Office of Sustainability for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board, please contact Amanda Rohlich at Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov or call 512-974-1364.
August 2021 August 2021 Animal Services Report ANIMAL SERVICES REPORT Animal Services News and four birds. Animal Protection August. The live outcome percentage for August was 97.5 percent. A total of 1,240 animals were brought to the shelter which included 607 dogs, 567 cats, 15 wild animals A total of 833 animals were adopted (376 dogs, 439 cats, three livestock and 15 small pets) A total of 121 dogs and cats were returned to their owners (RTOs and RTO-Adopt). Animal Protection Officers (APOs) returned 40 animals to their owners in the field during the month of Officers handed out 26 fencing assistance applications, impounded 172 injured animals and delivered 96 wildlife animals to Austin Wildlife Rescue. Officers entered 152 rabies exposure reports and submitted 49 specimens for rabies testing. Four bats tested positive for rabies. 26 total coyote related activities o 12 sightings o 10 wild sick o 3 encounters o 1 incident o 1 wild injured Out of 26 coyote related activities, 16 fell within the reported behavior types (sighting, encounter, and incident). Encounters: Pets were a factor in both activities: o 2 encounters involved coyotes flushing dogs out of an area o 1 incident involved a coyote going after a small dog with person present in an unfenced backyard Volunteer, Foster and Rescue Programs A total of 88 volunteers donated 1,712 hours during August. The Volunteer Coordinators held 4 orientations for new volunteers in August, introducing 88 people to the shelter programs. 31 new volunteers attended their first training or mentor shifts in August. More than 240 families provided foster care, and a total of 169 animals were adopted directly from foster care. August 2021 Animal Services Report There are 1,256 approved fosters in GivePulse, and 127 new foster applications were processed. There are currently 369 animals in foster homes. 303 animals were transferred to 22 AAC rescue partners: 5 to Austin Humane Society (AHS) 158 to Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) o 163 cats o 93 dogs 3 to AHS 49 to APA! 41 dogs to other partners Vet Services Emergencies cases treated at AAC- 60 Emergencies transferred from Emergency Clinic- 55 Spay/Neuter surgeries performed - 663 Orthopedic surgeries - 6 dentals, etc. – 26 Cruelty cases- 3 Vet exams – …
Electric Utility Commission September 13, 2021 6:00 PM Austin Energy Headquarters; 1st Floor; Shudde Fath Conference Room 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin TX 78723 AGENDA Members: Marty Hopkins, Chair (Casar) Dave Tuttle, Vice Chair (Alter) Marshall Bowen (Kelly) Randy Chapman (Pool) Cary Ferchill (Adler) Erik Funkhouser (Fuentes) Karen Hadden (Kitchen) Cyrus Reed (Tovo) Kay Trostle (Ellis) Vacancy (Harper-Madison) Vacancy (Renteria) For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/euc Reading and Action on Consent Agenda: Items 2-14 may be acted upon by one motion. No separate discussion or action on any of the items is necessary unless desired by a Commissioner. CALL MEETING TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speaker must be present and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Approve minutes of the August 19, 2021 special-called meeting. NEW BUSINESS – CONSENT ( ) = Target Council Meeting Date; [ ] = RCA Type 2. (9/30) [Purchasing Multi Departmental; AE’s estimated portion is $23M] Authorize negotiation and execution of various cooperative contracts during the Fiscal Year 2021-2022, for the purchase of computer, network and other technology hardware, software and related maintenance and technology services, in an amount not to exceed $63,448,196. 3. (9/30) [Austin Energy] Authorize issuance of energy efficiency program rebates by Austin Energy during Fiscal Year 2021-22, in an amount not to exceed $2,700,000 for multifamily energy efficiency rebates and $3,350,000 for commercial and small business energy efficiency rebates, for a total combined amount not to exceed $6,050,000. 4. (9/30) [Capital Contracting] Authorize award and execution of a construction contract with Muniz Concrete & Contracting, Inc, for District Cooling Plant #2 (DCP2) Chemical Storage Addition project in the amount of $593,568.70 plus a $59,356.87 contingency, for a total contract amount not to exceed $652,925.57. 5. (10/14) [Purchasing] Authorize award of contracts with Techline Inc., and Wesco Distribution Inc. D/B/A Hi-Line Utility Supply Co, LLC, to provide streetlight poles and pole parts, each for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $4,820,000, divided between the contractors. 6. (10/14) [Purchasing] Authorize award of a contract with Enterprise Professional Services, Inc. D/B/A EPSI for landscaping and ground maintenance services, for a term of five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $742,500. 7. (10/14) [Purchasing] Authorize execution of a contract with ErgoFlex Systems, Inc. D/B/A Xybix Systems, Inc, to provide ergonomic workstations and installation for Austin Energy, for …
Item 17 EUC Report re Council Action September 13, 2021 Items below recommended by EUC July 15; Council approved on date indicated in parenthesis. 8. (8/26) [Purchasing] Authorize negotiation and execution of a contract with Peerless Mfg Co, to provide turnkey services to replace ammonia evaporation skids at Sand Hill Energy Center in an amount not to exceed $3,200,000. 9. (8/26) [Purchasing] Authorize negotiation and execution of a contract with MediaMosaic, Inc. D/B/A The Mosaic Company, for the design and development of an operator training program, for a term of 24 months in an amount not to exceed $1,900,000. 10. (8/26) [Purchasing] Authorize award of a contract with Techline Inc., to provide precast concrete manholes, for a term of 60 months for a total contract not to exceed $6,250,000. 11. (9/2) [Purchasing Multi Departmental; AE’s estimated portion is $9.75M] Authorize negotiation and execution of a cooperative contract with Software One, Inc, for Microsoft Office 365 Enterprise License Agreement for all City departments, for a term of three years in an amount not to exceed $35,000,000. Items below recommended by EUC August 19; Council approved on date indicated in parenthesis. 2. (8/26) [Purchasing] Authorize award of a contract with Integrated Environment LLC (MBE), to provide maintenance and repair services of stormwater ponds, for a term of five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $700,000. 3. (8/26) [Purchasing Multi-Department; Austin Energy’s estimated portion $365K] Authorize amendments to three existing cooperative contracts with Carrier Corporation; Johnson Controls Inc.; and Trane U.S. Inc.; for continued chiller systems maintenance, repair, inspection, and installation, for an increase of $4,675,000, for revised total contract amounts not to exceed $12,928,937, divided among the contractors. 4. (8/26) [Purchasing] Authorize negotiation and execution of a multi-term cooperative contracts with Oracle America, Inc., for Oracle Field Service licenses and implementation services, for up to six years for a total contract amount not to exceed $8,000,000. 5. (9/2) [Purchasing] Authorize an amendment to an existing contract with Schneider Electric Systems USA Inc, to provide continued generator control system upgrades, maintenance, and support services, for an increase in the amount of $1,310,000 and to extend the term by three years, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $2,510,000. 6. (9/2) [Purchasing] Authorize an amendment to an existing contract with Enertech Resources LLC, to provide manufacturing of replacement parts and restoration services for moonlight towers, for an increase in …
Item 2 Posting Language ..Title Authorize negotiation and execution of various cooperative contracts during Fiscal Year 2021-2022, for the purchase of computer, network and other technology hardware, software, and related maintenance and technology services, in an amount not to exceed $63,448,196. (Note: These procurements will be reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9 Minority Owned and Women Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program. State of Texas Department of Information contracts also have historically underutilized business (HUB) requirements for subcontracting). ..Body Lead Department Purchasing Office. Client Department(s) All City Departments. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $46,491,585 is available in Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budgets of various City departments. Funding in the amount of $16,466,611 is available in Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Capital Budgets of various City departments. Funding in the amount of $490,000 is available from other funding sources. Purchasing Language: The State of Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) contracts are cooperative contracts solicited by the State of Texas specific to information technology items and services. The Purchasing Office staff reviews quotes from multiple vendors with DIR contracts to ensure the best value for the City. Best value determination includes price and contract terms as well as MBE/WBE inclusion. Prior Council Action: For More Information: The State of Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) contracts are cooperative contracts solicited by the State of Texas specific to information technology items and services. The Purchasing Office staff reviews quotes from multiple vendors with DIR contracts to ensure the best value for the City. Best value determination includes price and contract terms as well as MBE/WBE inclusion. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: September 1, 2021 – To be reviewed by the Water and Wastewater Commission. September 13, 2021 - To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. Additional Backup Information: The requested authorization will enable City departments to purchase the following information technology (IT) and services items through contracts solicited by the DIR cooperative. • Various computer, network and other technology hardware products and hardware maintenance, including but not limited to laptop computers, servers, data storage systems and storage area networks. This authorization also includes networking products and maintenance services for the City’s local and wide area networks and networking devices such as switches, routers and other equipment used to interconnect desktop computers, servers, and printers throughout the City, and to transmit and receive information via the internet. …
Regular Meeting of the Art in Public Places Panel September 13th, 2021 – 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM All public speakers must register in advance. Deadline to register: Sunday, September 12th, 2021 at noon. The Art in Public Places Panel Meeting will be held with Social Distancing Modifications. Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Art in Public Places Panel Meeting, residents must: Contact the panel liaison at 512-974-7841 or anna.bradley@austintexas.gov no later than noon, the day before the scheduled meeting. The information required is the speaker’s name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the panel liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. Speakers must call in at least 10 minutes prior to meeting start to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. Handouts or other information may be emailed to anna.bradley@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Panel members in advance of the meeting. La Reunión Regular del Panel de Arte en Lugares Públicos 13 de septiembre del 2021 – 6:00pm - 7:30pm Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación. Fecha límite para registrarse: 12 de septiembre del 2021 antes del mediodía La reunión del Panel de Arte en Lugares Públicos se llevará a cabo con modificaciones de distancia social. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna aportación en persona. Todos los comentarios del público se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión del Panel de Arte en Lugares Públicos, los residentes deben: Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512.974.7841 o anna.bradley @austintexas.gov más tardar al mediodía el día antes de la reunión. La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo …
From: To: Cc: Subject: Date: Attachments: Charley Dorsaneo Ramirez, Elaine Ramirez, Diana; RE: C16-2021-0008/715 W 23rd Street Wednesday, September 01, 2021 9:24:37 AM image001.png image003.png Good morning, Elaine, We would like to withdraw our variance application in the matter of C16-2021-0008/715 W 23rd Street. Sincerely, Charley Dorsaneo, Land Use Attorney Drenner Group, PC | 200 Lee Barton Drive | Suite 100 | Austin, TX 78704 Office: 512.807.2900 | Cell: 214.500.1949 From: Ramirez, Elaine <Elaine.Ramirez@austintexas.gov> Sent: Tuesday, August 3, 2021 11:35 AM To: Charley Dorsaneo < Cc: Ramirez, Diana <Diana.Ramirez@austintexas.gov>; Leah Bojo Subject: RE: REMINDER: Mon. Aug. 9th, 2021 BOA Presentation deadline Thank you Charley! I have Leah Bojo, registered as the Primary Speaker along with Charley Dorsaneo listed as an additional speaker(s) for the PostPonement request of case C16-2021-0008/ 715 W 23rd St If you are registered to speak you will receive an e-mail from me Monday, 8/9 before 12p.m., with call in information for our virtual BOA mtg. You will only be available via phone and only the registered speakers will receive the call in information. Once the Board has made the decision of Granting, Denying or Postponing the variance you all can disconnect from the call. Please keep in mind that if you are not the Primary Speaker the Board may or may not call on you. If you are not registered to speak you cannot call in. The Primary Speaker gets a total of 5 minutes to speak for each case(s). If the Board has questions they can call on any of the Speakers signed up on the Speaker Registration List who have signed up to speak. You cannot speak just because you want to, the Board will have to call on you to speak, again this is up to the Board. Please note: Any late support that will be accepted after this deadline date of July 23rd, 2021 will only be for Opposition and Support letters for this case. Support and Opposition Letters can be received up to Monday, August 9th, before 9a.m. in order for the Board to have access to them during the meeting. Anything after the deadline will not be viewed by the Board but will be added to the BCIC website. Respectfully, Elaine Ramirez Planner Senior / Board of Adjustment Liaison City of Austin Development Services Department 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, Texas 78752 Office: 512-974-2202 C-1/1
From: To: Subject: Date: Dan Byler Ramirez, Elaine Case# C15-2021-0083 Friday, September 10, 2021 8:06:39 AM Thanks for listening. Hi Elaine – I’m a property owner close to the subject property, 1207 Taylor. There’s plenty of room for them to build 1 large single family house here. I would like to vote to deny this variance. It’s not like they are 5 ft short needed for 2 units. They are over 100 sq ft short. They knew the size of the lot when the bought the land. If COA is going to allow this variance here, it should be done for the entire city, not just this 1 exception. *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Here for you, Dan Byler CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. D-1/1
From: To: Subject: Date: Jim L Upshaw Ramirez, Elaine Case Number C15-2021-0085, Board of Adjustment, Sept. 13,2021 Wednesday, September 08, 2021 12:38:36 PM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** Elaine Ramirez, Jim and Caren Upshaw 1715 Channel Rd Austin, TX 78746 Legal: ABS 329 SUR 2 GRAY T ACR .390 512 706-5553 We are property owners of land that shares a common boundary line with the property at 1717 Channel Rd. We are in favor of the requested variance. Sincerely, Jim and Caren Upshaw CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov. From: To: Subject: Date: Ashley Knight Ramirez, Elaine FW: Addition to Late Backup for Item D-2, Board of Adjustment, Sept. 13,2021 Friday, September 10, 2021 9:51:37 AM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** > From: Felix Erbring Sent: Friday, September 10, 2021 9:23 AM To: david cancialosi <d Subject: Re: Addition to Late Backup for Item D-2, Board of Adjustment, Sept. 13,2021 To the city of Austin I am the owner of 1714 Channel Rd, a property that is directly across the street for the property requesting the 25ft setback variance. I am in favor of granting the requested variance. Felix Erbring 1714 Channel Rd Austin TX 78746 Tel 713 304-2211 CAUTION: This email was received at the City of Austin, from an EXTERNAL source. Please use caution when clicking links or opening attachments. If you believe this to be a malicious and/or phishing email, please forward this email to cybersecurity@austintexas.gov.
Old West Austin Neighborhood Association Post Office Box 2724 Austin, Texas 78768 September 2, 2021 elaine.ramirez@austintexas.gov Board of Adjustment c/o Elaine Ramirez Senior Planner and Board of Adjustment Liaison City of Austin Development Services Re: Variance Case No. C15-2021-0081 - Letter of Opposition of Variance for 1308 9 ½ Street, Austin, Texas (the “Property”) Dear Members of the Board of Adjustment: The Old West Austin Neighborhood Association (“OWANA”) opposes a variance for additional FAR to add a second story addition at the above-referenced Property. There is no hardship in this case. The owners purchased the property knowing the limitations. By granting a variance the Board would be setting a precedent that a mere change in living situation would be a justification for obtaining a variance to increase FAR, impervious cover, building envelope and any number of other code regulations. Sincerely, Adrienne Goldsberry, Chair Old West Austin Neighborhood Association E-4/1
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, September 13, 2021 7:00 p.m. First United Methodist Church Family Life Center 1300 Lavaca Street, Austin, Texas 78701 District Commissioner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kannou (Kimberly) Curette VACANT Victor Martinez Holly Kirby Ruben Baeza Rebecca Dreke VACANT Saul Gonzalez District 9 10 Mayor At-Large At-Large At-Large At-Large Commissioner Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson Marti Bier Grant Loveless Charles Curry Ryn Gonzales (Chair) Melissa Taylor (Vice Chair) CALL TO ORDER AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 9, 2021 3. REGULAR BUSINESS – The commission may take action or make recommendations on the following topics: a. Update concerning an LGBTQ quality of life study. (Sponsor: Gonzales; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) b. Update from the Quality of Life Study Working Group concerning public briefings, town halls, and potential sub-working groups. (Sponsor: Taylor; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) c. Discussion and action on a response to Governor Abbott's threat to take executive action to ban gender-affirming medical care for transgender and non-binary youth. (Sponsor: Kirby & Wollerson; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All, Health) d. Discussion of future In-person Commission Meeting Locations. (Sponsor: Gonzales; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Staff Liaison Neal Falgoust at 512-974-2154 or email neal.falgoust@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission, please contact Neal Falgoust at (512) 974-2154.
Music Commission Monday, September 13, 2021, 6:30pm Austin Central Library Special Events Center 710 West Cesar Chavez, Austin TX 78701 CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chair – Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone, Vice-chair - Anne-Charlotte Patterson, Secretary - Oren Rosenthal, Parliamentarian - Graham Reynolds, Gavin Garcia, Lauryn Gould, Christopher Limon, Nagavalli Medicharla, Patrice Pike, Scott Strickland, Stuart Sullivan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. OLD BUSINESS The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Approval of Minutes from Regularly Scheduled Meeting on August 2, and Special Called Meeting on August 20, 2021. a. Discussion and Possible Action on Live Music Fund Event Program, Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund, and third party considerations. b. Discussion and Possible Action after update on Austin Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) and its feasibility to administer the Live Music Fund (LMF). c. Discussion and Possible Action on which working groups are still active and which are d. Discussion and Possible Action after update from Systemic Racism Working Group. a. Discussion and possible action regarding zoning for Austin Opera House, following presentation by Richard Weiss. b. Discussion and Possible Action on COVID precautions at venues. dissolved. 3. NEW BUSINESS 4. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Staff briefing on Governor’s lifting of Texas Open Meetings Act (TOMA) exemptions and effects on future meetings. 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 6. ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Kim McCarson 512-974-7963, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Music Commission please contact Kim McCarson at Kimberly.McCarson@austintexas.gov, 512-974- 7963.
111 Congress Avenue, Suite 1400 Austin, Texas 78701 Direct: 512.370.3468 micah king@huschblackwell.com Micah J. King Senior Associate September 12, 2021 The Board of Adjustment c/o Elaine Ramirez Planner Senior and Board of Adjustment Liaison City of Austin Development Services Department Dear Board Members: Re: Item E-3; New Letter of Support from Owner of Property to the Rear At our last hearing, a board member asked whether the neighbor immediately to the rear of my client’s property was in support of the variance. As explained in the attached email, Mrs. Lupe Martinez, who is listed as having owned the property to the rear since 1989, is sadly now deceased, but her daughter, the new owner and current resident, supports the variance. Sincerely, Micah King HB: 4810-6824-6266.1
From: To: Subject: Date: mb@gte.net Ramirez, Elaine FW: C15-2021-0081 1308 W 9 1/2 Street - Opposition Letter Friday, September 10, 2021 3:58:16 PM *** External Email - Exercise Caution *** September 10, 2021 RE: C15-2021-0081 Dear Board of Adjustment Commissioners, I still strongly oppose this variance request, for these additional reasons: The variance for 1308 W 9 ½ Street sites the property has an unusual hardship because it is zoned SF-3. This hardship states that 608 Blanco, zoned MF-4, which was granted a variance: “was allowed by the Board of Adjustment an increased floor-area-ratio, despite having to comply with single-family requirements” in 2012. While the original use of 608 Blanco was single family, it was converted to 3 apartments by the time it was purchased in 2012. (See property details listed in Realtor.com below.) The 2012 variance also states: “The hardship for which the variance is requested is unique to the prop erty in that: this structure is an older home that has been converted to three units and to restore and modernize the building to convert it back to a single family requires compliance with current requirements for single familyuse and proposed changes in conversion to 3 units to 1 uni t will also include in compliance with the McMansion requirement and will allow thestructure to be up graded to c urrent acceptable living standards. The hardship is not general to the area in which the property is locate d because: not many of the structures in the area are reducing density and imper vious cover in order to restore older building to original uses and maintain the appeal of the original construction while converting 3 units to one.” In addition, MF-4 properties over 8000 SF are entitled to FAR OF .75:1 and the variance request in 2012 only asked for an increase of .48.2:1. In 2015, the City of Austin Plan Review approved change of use to a triplex for 608 Blanco. Comparing a single family home zoned SF-3 to a 3 unit apartment zoned MF-4 is not a reasonable argument. 608 Blanco is also in close proximity to W 6th Street and 1308 w 9 ½ Street is in the heart of the OWANA neighborhood. While the OWANA neighborhood does have properties with multi-family use, there are many single family homes. Thus allowing the request for increased FAR for 1308 W 9 ½ Street, would set a …
