Bill raises flooding concerns related to impervious cover

Community not Commodity is sounding the alarm on HB 3919, called the small lot impervious cover bill, which would “would allow 70 percent impervious cover on residential lots of 4,000 square feet or less.” The bill is set for a hearing on Wednesday at 8am in the House Land & Resource Management Committee. Since Austin passed the HOME initiative, the minimum lot size was reduced to 1800 square feet. Under this bill, lots of less than 4,000 square feet could have 70 percent impervious cover. The current limit is 45 percent. The group says, “Allowing a large increase in impervious cover combined with inadequate drainage infrastructure will put communities at higher risk of flood inundation.” Austin Rep. Gina Hinojosa is a member of the committee. The Senate has already passed a similar bill, SB15.