The Downtown Commission is asking City Council to reject new height limits for downtown towers and, instead, replace the city’s Downtown Density Bonus Program with a funding system tied to future property-tax revenue. Their recommendation, which was approved last week, contrasts with the Planning Commission’s call a day earlier to set a 700-foot cap in […]
City of Austin Downtown Density Bonus
The downtown density bonus program was approved as part of the city’s 2011 Downtown Austin Plan. The program is a way that developers can earn additional height and density by providing community benefits, most notably affordable housing or money towards affordable housing.
Posted inHousing
A push for more affordable housing falls flat at Planning Commission
A new tower planned for downtown sparked debate about Austin’s density bonus program at the most recent meeting of the city’s Planning Commission. The density bonus program essentially trades increased development entitlements for a number of community benefits, including things like affordable housing, public space or green building. In this case, would-be developers of 506 […]
Posted inZoning
Changes proposed for huge tower project on West Avenue
City Council last week postponed hearing a controversial zoning case for a property on the shores of Shoal Creek, at the request of neighbors. Developer Manifold Real Estate is requesting a zoning change for 506 and 508 West Avenue, from Downtown Mixed Use (DMU) to Central Business District (CBD). The change would allow construction of […]
Posted inDevelopment
Developer unveils conceptual designs for HealthSouth redevelopment
The Economic Development Department and developer Aspen Heights Partners kicked off the stakeholder engagement process by unveiling the conceptual plans for the redevelopment of the former HealthSouth site at 12th and Red River streets at the Design Commission on Jan. 23. Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend the proposal to City Council as complying with the city’s […]
Posted inHousing
Want to know how the city enforces density bonus agreements? Read on.
This week, the Community Development Commission learned more about how the city ensures the reduced-rent housing units created through its density bonus programs go to people who meet the income eligibility requirements. At the commission’s Jan. 10 meeting, Commissioner Karen Paup said she asked staff from the Housing and Planning Department to help them better […]
Posted inPlanning
Council endorses development bonuses near the Capitol
A rule prohibiting tall buildings near the Texas Capitol may soon be relaxed, opening up a sleepy part of downtown to more development. City Council passed a resolution Thursday that would allow properties currently under the Capitol Dominance Overlay – which limits building height within a quarter-mile of the Capitol – to participate in the […]
Posted inPlanning
Council adopts new interim fees for Downtown Density Bonus program
Developers of some downtown towers will have to pay more toward affordable housing after City Council voted 10-0-2 on Thursday to increase the Downtown Density Bonus program’s in-lieu fees. The program offers developers more height and density in exchange for on-site affordable housing and/or fees-in-lieu toward housing vouchers and permanent supportive housing for people experiencing […]
Posted inPlanning
Council to change Downtown Density Bonus fees, consider new FAR rules
Long-awaited changes to the Downtown Density Bonus Program are back on track after City Council passed a resolution Thursday aimed at maximizing the affordable housing fees generated through the program. “I am very confident that the changes that we’ve initiated, including and especially the fees, are going to yield more affordable housing dollars,” said Council […]
Posted inPlanning
Council approves Rainey towers, pledges new LDC push
On Thursday City Council approved increased floor area ratio for three new towers in the Rainey Street area, bringing 1,000 more homes – 55 of them affordable – to the area. The approval of the towers may have consequences beyond Rainey. First, Council is set to increase the Downtown Density Bonus program’s community benefits requirements, which […]
Posted inPlanning
Council discusses a recalibrated Downtown Density Bonus program
City Council members on Tuesday supported recalibrating the Downtown Density Bonus program to increase the community benefits developers must provide in exchange for more floor area ratio. The changes – should Council vote to implement them – could shape the skyline and impact the city’s supply of income-restricted affordable housing. “We’re applying an extremely outdated formula […]
Posted inDevelopment
Planning Commission endorses Rainey high-rise
The Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend construction of a skyscraper on Rainey Street that would be one of Austin’s tallest buildings. 90-92 Rainey St., currently occupied by Container Bar, would become a residential high-rise with about 450 residential units, a cocktail lounge on the ground floor, and a large underground parking garage. City […]
Posted inDevelopment
City tries to get developers to embrace ‘great urban design’
While the most often discussed aim of density bonuses has been to create affordable housing, the city also hopes to use them as a way to encourage other community benefits, including superior design. “We’re trying to shift the narrative and shift the story and say great urban design is important,” Jorge Rousselin, who is the […]