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Land Development Code
Proposed VMU changes stir compatibility controversy
The Planning Commission has recommended changes to the Vertical Mixed-Use density bonus program to let developers build taller in exchange for more affordable housing – but only after animated discussion about compatibility standards. The proposed change, if passed into ordinance…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Mar 25, 2022
City loses Land Development Code lawsuit appeal
On Thursday, the Texas 14th Court of Appeals upheld a ruling by Travis County District Judge Jan Soifer invalidating two votes by Austin City Council rewriting the city’s Land Development code. Soifer ruled that the city had violated property owners’ procedural…
Land Development Code • By Jo Clifton • Mar 18, 2022
Creating preapproved ADU plans could take 2-3 years, produce few units
With City Council seeking to make it easier to build accessory dwelling units, city staffers provided an update on Feb. 16 about a key part of Council’s ADU strategy: creating a menu of preapproved, publicly available ADU plans. In a…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Feb 25, 2022
Council to allow ADUs in more places
In response to rising housing costs, last Thursday City Council proposed several changes to allow accessory dwelling units in more neighborhoods and to make them easier to build. ADUs are set to become legal in Single Family Residence-Large Lot (SF-1)…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Dec 15, 2021
Council looks to increase height allowed under VMU zoning
City Council last Thursday took a step toward addressing housing affordability, passing a resolution to allow greater building height in areas zoned Vertical Mixed-Use (VMU). The code change would create VMU2, a new zoning category that allows 90 feet of…
Land Development Code • By Jonathan Lee • Nov 22, 2021
An appeals court will hear arguments over Austin's land code rewrite. Here's what the case is about.
I can understand if your eyes glaze over at the mention of a “land code rewrite.” But whether you asked for it or not (and likely you didn’t), if you live in Austin, a case being heard this week in…
Courts • By Audrey McGlinchy, KUT • Nov 17, 2021
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Zilker substandard lot case sparks debate at Board of Adjustment
An appeal to grant a variance to homebuilders on Kinney Avenue raised questions of precedent and procedure at the Board of Adjustment meeting this past Monday. On behalf of property owner Molly Development Company, applicant Ian Ellis sought the board’s…
Land Development Code • By Kali Bramble • Nov 17, 2021
Green infrastructure pushed as remedy to stormwater pollution threats
An Austin-based environmental group is pushing City Council to approve a plan to protect area waterways from pollution through changes in building requirements that would promote stormwater retention. On Wednesday, Environment Texas delivered petitions with roughly 1,000 signatures to Council…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 29, 2021
Housing and Planning Committee examines barriers to ADU construction
The city’s Housing and Planning Committee met Tuesday to discuss the regulations for accessory dwelling units, secondary housing units located somewhere on a residential lot. As Austin’s housing crisis persists and the median sale price of homes continues to rise, ADUs…
Land Development Code • By Willow Higgins • Oct 7, 2021
Fee changes to Downtown Density Bonus Program delayed until November
City Council and boards and commissions will have to wait until November to see the latest proposal on adjustments to the costs developers will have to pay to avoid adding affordable housing units to downtown development projects. Staff members were…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 21, 2021
Music, arts proponents renew push in land use code for creative spaces
Music and creative proponents are renewing a push to change the city land use code to make it easier for live music venues and other creative spaces to open throughout the city. The Music Commission voted unanimously last Monday in…
Land Development Code • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 9, 2021
West Campus sign variance remains on hold after illuminating discussion
Once again, an accidental ban on illuminated signs has forced developers to seek a variance from an unintentional city statute. Current city code prohibits illuminated signs in the University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO). While the prohibition was made in error, it…
