posted on January 27, 2011 23:29
Austin City Council members agreed Thursday to rezone a property across from the Palmer Events Center slated for a controversial office tower.
The 60,000-square-foot project at 801 Barton Springs Road won the needed supermajority, or 6-1, because it exceeds height limits for that area. The seven-story building will house Austin-based Texas American Resources Co.'s headquarters and a 3,500-square-foot restaurant.
The project has been a source of contention with Bouldin Creek neighborhood and Save Town Lake advocates, who say the zoning change sets a precedent for further development. American Resource did agree to reduce the size of the project from 180 feet to about 96 feet, without the originally-planned housing. Developers also offered $250,000 for community benefits.
The property across from the Palmer Events Center and Long Center for the Performing Arts currently houses food trailer
1/14/11, Austin Business Journal