[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6643430,"mediaKeyId","2532455-9b9b0be639a98812b24887e365488326","parentId",2532455,"title","Board denies variance for 3706 Meadowbank Drive; applicant told to appeal with new evidence if warranted","audioSeconds",675,"startMs",2263450,"endMs",2939008,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532455-9b9b0be639a98812b24887e365488326&start=2263&end=2939","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532455-9b9b0be639a98812b24887e365488326/thumbnail_2263450.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6643430/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Board-denies-variance-for-3706-Meadowbank-Drive-applicant-told-to-appeal-with-new-evidence-if-warranted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643430-71524ff97c05c5766aa81074d3b4a845/orig.mp4?Expires=1775137868&Signature=bI2uujBv9EoawBryjftm1kt29CQNnFaDWhHGNU5L2eGPQ8tSQ5UljN2Hx5rURnROPRGNJYXsYUDbftIhFCxgHlvesvfPhpPFWWKPP2cwepipXkXaJap-YHr6ps1dlqP21Fg1mLgnHh7AWxwv6AiSMSE8Utkcoevy05CRYQqz4p~SHCn~uBrz-lRCFCp1x9F8Mil7nUmfMat7RRsJneFNgrhV0hAItgtjXNF0UHpMVxPmuwVIpjJt1UpQyHeId63Ar75WhHD6GkTDEuHF1dXdgBUN2x5MmT1EZwGwqPOircorwYeK11LpJl5MdnDZZyfxdHm84hTcfFmr0b8S6nSUOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Austin Board of Adjustment denied a variance request for a new single-family construction at 3706 Meadowbank Drive after concluding the application did not demonstrate a qualifying hardship under state law.

An expediter representing the applicant summarized years of design work, paid reviews, and prior variances, saying the owner had invested substantial time and money and that recent code changes removed a parking exemption the team had relied on. The representative asked the board to approve the variance to avoid redesigning finalized plans.

Board members repeatedly noted that financial cost or the need to redo plans does not qualify as a hardship under the state’s variance standards. Board member Michael Von Olin observed the applicant’s situation was largely self‑created and said the board could not accept financial inability to redesign as a hardship. That position was echoed by other members, and a motion to deny was offered and seconded.

The board voted on the motion to deny. Several board members urged the applicant that an appeal within 10 days is permitted if the applicant can present new evidence; one board member suggested changing the asserted hardship in any appeal. The board denied the variance request by roll-call vote and closed the matter.

The applicant had said the property includes two large heritage live oaks and that the now-removed parking exemption had been assumed during design; the applicant also stated the variance previously approved in 2024 was set to expire and that the team had paid application and review fees.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Board of Adjustment - Mar 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Adjustment denied a request related to a single-family residential variance, with board members citing lack of a legally cognizable hardship and advising the applicant about appeal rights and options for altering the hardship claim.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6643435,"Hearing on ADA parking variance for East Seventh Street restaurant postponed to May 12",969,1284150,2254003,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532455-9b9b0be639a98812b24887e365488326&start=1284&end=2254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532455-9b9b0be639a98812b24887e365488326/thumbnail_1284150.jpg","/articles/6643435/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Hearing-on-ADA-parking-variance-for-East-Seventh-Street-restaurant-postponed-to-May-12","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643435-f3f7b6cac20a83e7bb5a2bb63a707608/orig.mp4?Expires=1775137868&Signature=clOIhsEnpWLX42E4PiGYIzmFXf5YEGjsJi2HjzsgvwPOhs8gliEPs83O6c7AtnyD2NELP05i56-EVup813D9HR4QKDOq1ghputUrUMASKjmhizRf1~1IOo4iKTkr8TvOqo~J2OgzxdeIxNge17qzX~wQqHJ6~oRkU2odIMpt6l2y-rMkBVnM9mprVxIZtYl9kY0XalHbWXW64IxaK6vShCvxSygN8s-RptIfCzpN~kM-bzRaLA0S0uDsTMmDVTU6TXZ~EP0k~W4-pUK~uWrgD3~p6NhbzvPD7TFIMqUuxJlKJsQ-TB0-OhNrkeEsgPQkpe4vXJqb20GcJr4bbF31eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A hearing on a variance request to eliminate an on-site accessible parking space for a proposed restaurant at 2136 East Seventh Street was postponed to the board’s May 12 meeting so the applicant can supply documentation that ties off-site accessible spaces to the proposed use.

Maximiliano Martinez, speaking for Death and Taxes, LLC, asked the board to allow the restaurant rebuild and remodel to rely on ADA-accessible parking located on an adjacent property. Martinez said the property’s grade drops roughly 10 feet from East Seventh to the rear alley, creating design constraints that make providing an on-site ADA stall difficult.

Assistant City Attorney Erica Lopez explained the code framework in place: although the city removed general minimum parking requirements under recent code changes, the Land Development Code retained a requirement that an accessible space be provided per property in some situations. Martinez said the applicant would be open to a recorded joint-use agreement or easement tying the spaces together.

Vice Chair Melissa Hawthorne moved to postpone the item to the May 12 agenda to allow time to prepare and record a document (easement or restrictive covenant) tying the off-site accessible space to the subject property; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote. A staff member noted that postponements longer than 60 days require re-notification and a fee.

The applicant and several board members discussed alternatives including a sidewalk connection from the off-site space to the front door, a joint-use agreement, or a recorded easement. Board members asked the applicant to return with meets-and-bounds and any legal documents required to keep the off-site accessible space tied to the restaurant’s use.","A request to remove an on-site ADA parking requirement and rely on nearby spaces was postponed to May 12 so the applicant can provide recorded documentation tying the off-site spaces to the restaurant.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6643440,"Board of Adjustment denies McDonald’s sign variance at 6320 East Bluestein Boulevard",968,305955,1274947,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2532455-9b9b0be639a98812b24887e365488326&start=305&end=1274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2532455-9b9b0be639a98812b24887e365488326/thumbnail_305955.jpg","/articles/6643440/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Board-of-Adjustment-denies-McDonalds-sign-variance-at-6320-East-Bluestein-Boulevard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6643440-e96c4b7369f4c5906f44d44f76b8d69c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775137868&Signature=mlDATV5weF1ivfivHq8UaUOv3ZTihY6y6~OXFnB8kQIfJhNDELJDjjm34tYK5PhNT0oUPeXKVAAw7gdj~RZUVQ6ODwWYm7F8-TS61J7em5549p2Q56QmQ6TCU1EMU5YYHnk9gUvfrSi-BDAdjquBj6N6J6cwDNAHrt-BLjyxFkFm9juhUWJdE11RkoteOpUyy1dzoAF2KcfP34JT-~nYpXsJzMOjpC-fzj7VZEOgsjt~f6-RBBSdmm9RXHtH39bfLrB7QhzBAOdIBeeS52kfMPdMED3zoYmYhDZQ2DYSqGWq5ZNqyGlBdIf6ppAml2X1OjU20XVH4PA~LmibbAmS9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Austin Board of Adjustment on an April meeting denied a variance request to increase the height and area of a proposed McDonald’s sign at 6320 East Bluestein Boulevard Southbound. The applicant’s representative requested permission to raise the sign height from the code maximum of 35 feet to 60 feet and to increase sign face area to about 314.86 square feet.

The applicant’s representative, Michael Everett, said the site’s elevation and trees near the adjacent toll road limit visibility from the roadway and that a taller, larger sign was needed so drivers could see the restaurant. Everett said the sign “would fully comply with Austin's local lighting regulations” and that shielding and brightness limits would be used to avoid glare.

Board members questioned that justification, noting the nearby highway exits and existing signs in the corridor. Board member Maggie Sherastani asked Everett to clarify the asserted safety concern, and Everett replied the concern was drivers making “a hasty decision” if they could not see signage clearly. Board member Jeffrey Bowen noted the site sits along a toll road and that motorists who are committed on the toll road would already have missed nearby exits, calling the requested size “a whole lot.”

Board member Michael Von Nolan moved to deny the variance, saying, “The golden arches are familiar worldwide,” and arguing that drivers can locate a McDonald’s using phone-based directions rather than an oversized sign. Board member Jeffrey Bowen seconded the motion.

The motion carried on a roll-call vote. Board members voting to deny included Tommy Yates; Jessica Cohen, chair; Melissa Hawthorne, vice chair; Young Ju Kim; Brian Poteet; Maggie Sherastani; Jeffrey Bowen; Janelle Van Zant; Michael Von Owen; and Bianca Medina Leal. The board announced that the variance was denied and moved to the next agenda item.

The applicant had sought an additional 25 feet of height (from 35 to 60 feet) and roughly an additional 210.3 square feet of sign area for a total of approximately 314.86 square feet; those figures were stated in the applicant’s presentation. The board’s action was a denial of the variance request and not an approval with conditions.","The Austin Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to deny a request to increase the height and area of a proposed McDonald’s sign, concluding that the applicant had not shown sufficient justification for the unusually large variance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board denies variance for 3706 Meadowbank Drive; applicant told to appeal with new evidence if warranted

Hearing on ADA parking variance for East Seventh Street restaurant postponed to May 12

Board of Adjustment denies McDonald’s sign variance at 6320 East Bluestein Boulevard