2 days ago
Judge sides with city of Austin in Statesman PUD case
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Travis County Civil Court judge sided with the city of Austin, potentially moving forward the Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the former Austin-American Statesman property.
According to an attorney for the Save Our Springs Alliance (SOS), the judge 'did not provide a reason' for the ruling against the organization.
The PUD was approved in 2022 for a development that would include a 275-room high-rise hotel, six towers of residential units and office space.
From 2022: Some concerned about required park space in Statesman PUD conversation
According to the city, PUD zoning is meant 'to preserve the natural environment, encourage high quality development and innovative design, and ensure adequate public facilities and services' and 'must be superior to the development that would occur under conventional zoning and subdivision regulations.'
However, PUD zoning also 'provides greater design flexibility by permitting modifications of site development regulations.'
The lawsuit that was rejected in court Tuesday claimed that Austin City Council violated the Texas Open meetings Act and the Austin City Charter when it approved the PUD for 18.86 acres along the south shore of lady Bird lake.
SOS claimed that the city did not provide adequate public notice regarding 'major changes to City standards.'
The attorney for SOS told KXAN they are 'considering options for appeal.'
KXAN has reached out to the city of Austin for its response to the ruling. We will update this article if a statement is received.
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