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 the Mobility Committee and the Housing and Planning Committee, the message from principal planner April […]
City of Austin Land Development Code
The city’s Land Development Code regulates building and development in the city of Austin.
Posted inLand Development Code
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 Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabilities, Zoning and Platting Commissioner Betsy Greenberg spoke about the […]
Posted inLand Development Code
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 the Planning Commission lasted well into the evening hours. Thursday’s joint hearing was over by […]
Posted inLand Development Code
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 to receive public testimony on proposed changes relating to: Properties zoned single-family, including flag lots […]
Posted inLand Development Code
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 land use ordinance at Tuesday’s work session. The new version – drafted to resemble the […]
Posted inPlanning
Council takes next step toward new density bonus plan along rail line
City Council last week approved a resolution designed to increase Austin’s chances of winning federal money to assist in building the first phase of Project Connect with an emphasis on development of housing for low- and middle-income residents along the rail line. In addition, the resolution directs staff to modify downtown parking regulations and amend […]
Posted inLand Development Code
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 citywide did not impact requirements for bicycle parking. However, it did prod the Urban Transportation […]
Posted inAustin
A look back: Austin’s year in review
With 2023 drawing to a close, it’s time to look back on the local headlines that dominated the news before looking forward to the year ahead. Happy News Year! New city management This year saw a strange kind of sea change at City Hall led by newly reelected Mayor Kirk Watson. On the one hand, […]
Posted inCourts
Court signs order overturning three zoning ordinances
On Monday, Travis County District Court Judge Jessica Mangrum released her official ruling in Acuña v. City of Austin, finding that City Council violated prior court orders and state law when it approved three major zoning ordinances in 2022. The court also found that one ordinance challenged by plaintiffs is still valid because of a […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Austin to allow more homes on one plot of land in the pursuit of cheaper housing
In an attempt to encourage the construction of middle-class housing, Austin voted Thursday to amend land use rules to let property owners build more homes in neighborhoods restricted to one family living in one house on one plot of land. City Council members voted 9-2 in favor of the changes, which will allow developers to construct up to […]
Posted inLand Development Code
Amendments, memos point to finer steps for implementing HOME initiative
With City Council slated to decide the fate of the HOME initiative today, a last bit of analysis from city staff appears to back the intent and approach of the push to add more housing stock throughout the city. In a memo released Tuesday, Housing Department Director Rosie Truelove responded to some of the 127 […]
Posted inLand Development Code
HOME proponents, opponents speak out
City Council Member Leslie Pool led the charge in talking about the HOME initiative at a City Hall press conference Tuesday. Joining her in promoting the plan to reconfigure Austin’s single-family zoning rules were several Council members as well as representatives of labor, environmental and transit organizations. As of late, Pool has been the surprise […]