A city incentive program intended to produce “Safe, Mixed-use, Accessible, Reasonably-priced and Transit-oriented” housing may be getting a little smarter with changes working their way towards City Council. The Housing Department is proposing four amendments to improve the “operation and functionality” of the program, per a presentation on the amendments given to the Planning Commission […]
SMART housing
Safe, mixed-income, accessible, reasonably-priced, transit-oriented housing.
Posted inHousing
Council orders overhaul of SMART housing program
City Council voted this week to proceed with an overhaul of the SMART housing program. The SMART (Safe, Mixed-Income, Accessible, Reasonably Priced, Transit-Oriented) housing program grants certain fee waivers to housing developments that agree to include affordable housing. The list of waived fees includes permit, capital recovery and construction inspection fees. Austin adopted SMART in […]
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 inZoning
Planning Commission approves rezoning for MLK property despite concerns over process
The Planning Commission voted at its Tuesday meeting to recommend a zoning change for 5201 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. from Family Residence (SF-3) to Multifamily Residence – Medium Density (MF-3). The applicant initially requested Multifamily Residence – Highest Density (MF-6), but staff recommended MF-3 because the property is not on a highway or […]
Posted inZoning
Final fight over Austin Oaks this week?
After many months of arguments and thousands of hours of work by representatives of the city, neighborhoods and the developers, the third and final vote on the Austin Oaks planned unit development may finally happen on Thursday. But it may not, because City Council Member Alison Alter wants to make sure that one of her […]
Posted inHousing
Council OKs more funds for east side housing
Acting as the board of the Austin Housing Finance Corporation, City Council on Thursday approved an additional $992,000 to a loan for the Chestnut Neighborhood Revitalization Corporation to help the company build affordable housing at 1212, 1301 and 1309 Chicon St. The project, called the Chicon, will be redeveloped into a mixed-use, mixed-income development with […]
Posted inCity Council
Judge considers Rodgers’ Pilot Knob claims
How much notice should the City Council agenda provide to citizens who want to know what Council is doing that may impact their taxes and water rates? That’s one of the questions Judge Stephen Yelenosky will have to answer when he rules on Brian Rodgers’ lawsuit against the city of Austin. Yelenosky heard arguments on […]
Posted inCity Council
Oak Creek affordable housing debate just starting
A developer seeking state tax credits to fund an affordable housing complex in North Austin got a boost from City Council on Thursday, despite loud objections from a large group of neighbors as well as familiar criticism of housing subsidies from the most conservative member of Council. Council voted 9-2 to endorse Saigebrook Development LLC’s […]
Posted inCity Council
Pilot Knob fee waivers to cost city $50M – $80M
At their last meeting in December, when City Council members approved annexation for the Pilot Knob Planned Unit Development, they agreed to give up $50 million to $80 million in fee waivers for installation of water and wastewater lines over the next 20 years, according to a utility spokesman. The money that the developer would […]
Posted inHousing
Zoning commission OKs northwest SMART homes
A speech by a neighbor denouncing a proposed SMART housing complex as dangerous and poorly planned didn’t stop the Zoning and Platting Commission from unanimously approving it at its meeting last Tuesday. The site plan for a 120-unit apartment complex at 11015 and 11017 Four Points Drive was requested by Foundation Communities, a nonprofit that […]
Posted inDevelopment
ZAP backs Colony Park despite ‘missing middle’
The Zoning and Platting Commission recommended a Planned Unit Development rezoning request for the Colony Park Sustainable Community Initiative last week, despite concerns about a potential “missing middle” effect on affordability. The community would comply with the city’s SMART Housing regulations, dedicating 20 percent of its residential units to serving households at or below a […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council ponders changes to SMART Housing beyond mass transit
Austin City Council members Thursday approved the initiation of a code amendment that could result in changes to the city’s SMART Housing regulations. Initially, the proposed change would have only addressed whether the city could support housing not located next to mass transit routes. Council Member Chris Riley authored the original resolution. However, Council […]