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Land Development Code

Austin will vote on rules that impact housing. Here's what's on the table.

This explainer was originally published April 10. It has been updated ahead of City Council’s vote. How do you retrofit a city that never planned for a population of nearly 1 million or for an extensive public transit system? Should…

As Council moves to adopt HOME 2, groups call on Council to reject it or make major changes

At Tuesday’s work session, City Council discussed proposed amendments to the Land Development Code labeled HOME 2, as well as Equitable Transit-Oriented Development, citywide compatibility standards and rules for electric vehicle charging stations. But the majority of discussion was about…

Environmental Commission recommends site plan changes

At last week’s Environmental Commission meeting, members gave a positive recommendation for reducing the size of infill residential lots, including changes designed to make the process more efficient and less costly, while ensuring that drainage requirements are sufficient to prevent…

Ahead of May vote, Council hears staff feedback for revised South Central Waterfront plan

Planning Department staff explained to a portion of City Council members this week why they intend to move forward with only about half of the Planning Commission’s suggested changes to the South Central Waterfront Plan. At a combined meeting of…

Disability commission to seek replacement of group home rules stricken from code

Advocates for people with disabilities are expected to ask the city to update recent building code changes that promote density but could make it easier for unregulated group homes to set up shop throughout Austin. At Friday’s meeting of the…

Updated: Council and Planning Commission hear from public on proposed land use changes

With City Council all but certain to approve extensive revisions to Austin’s land use code next month, Thursday’s public hearing on the proposed changes lacked the fire-in-the-belly resistance demonstrated at last October’s hearing. Back then, the joint Council hearing with…

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HOME returns to Council and Planning Commission for public hearing

The second phase of the HOME initiative reemerges in the public spotlight this week, accompanied by a series of other proposed revisions to the Land Development Code. On Thursday, City Council and the Planning Commission will hold a joint hearing…

Adjusted density bonus program pushes housing, affordability on commercial properties

Following a December court ruling that invalidated three changes to the city’s Land Development Code, City Council has approved an ordinance change that promotes housing density by using many of the components of the now-obsolete Vertical Mixed Use 2 ordinance.…

Council set to revisit zoning ordinance after court ruling

In the wake of last year’s court ruling invalidating the city’s Vertical Mixed Use 2 ordinance, a proposed remedy is now primed for a public hearing and consideration at Thursday’s City Council meeting. Council heard a preview of the revised…

City hoping to fast-track some changes to land use code

The City Council Housing and Planning Committee last week approved a resolution urging the entire Council to move forward expeditiously with several amendments to the Land Development Code, particularly as they relate to Equitable Transit Oriented Development, called ETOD in…

Council to contemplate new bike parking rules this Thursday

Changes to the city’s bicycle parking requirements are headed back to City Council on Thursday with the blessing of the Planning Commission. Commissioners were updated on the code amendments at their most recent meeting. The recent elimination of parking requirements…

Council seeks financial assistance for homeowners looking to add units to properties

City Council intends to help homeowners at risk of displacement with a program that will provide down payment assistance to those wishing to add more residential units to their properties. At last Thursday’s meeting, Council approved a resolution directing the…

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