The stealth dorm issue has lived to see another City Council. The Planning Commission took the next step to combat occupancy limit violations at its regular meeting last week. Commissioners voted unanimously to forward a recommendation from the Stealth Dorm Working Group to Council. Those recommendations address code compliance, development and nuisance management, and even […]
stealth dorm
The pejorative nickname for buildings constructed in area neighborhoods to house multiple students, despite being zoned as single-family residences.
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council OKs lower occupancy limits for new housing
Austin City Council members Thursday approved a downward adjustment in occupancy limits citywide, a move that drops the maximum number of unrelated adults that can live at a given address from six to four. The vote was 6-1 with Council Member Bill Spelman casting the lone ‘no’ vote. Existing houses and duplexes will not […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
City Council approves limits on occupancy rates on first reading
After a very long night at its last meeting, the Austin City Council had taken definitive steps toward a reduction of maximum occupancy rates in single-family dwellings. Council voted on first reading to reduce the maximum occupancy from six unrelated persons to four in a vote of 6-1. Council Member Bill Spelman cast the […]
Posted inDevelopment
Lower maximum occupancy limits continue to race toward Council
After several attempts at a compromise on lowering maximum occupancy limits, the Planning Commission ultimately struck upon a solution Tuesday night that earned unanimous support. On an 8-0 vote, the commission recommended a citywide occupancy limit of four unrelated people, placing a two-year limit on the change. That time would allow for a solution […]
Posted inDevelopment
Measure to set residential occupancy limits headed for City Council
An effort to curb stealth dorms that would radically limit how many unrelated people can live in Austin’s residences is heading quickly back to City Council. This past November Council started the process of limiting occupancy to four unrelated adults in single-family zoned property. Currently, the city puts that limit at six unrelated adults. […]
Posted inDevelopment, Local Politics
Council starts process aimed at putting limits on ‘stealth dorms’
Austin City Council members Thursday unanimously approved a measure that kicks off changes to the occupancy limits for Austin residences. When completed, the move could drop the allowed number of unrelated adults living in one place from the current limitation of six to four. But Council Member Kathie Tovo’s more ambitious set of proposals failed […]
Posted inDevelopment
City studies occupancy limits as latest way to curb stealth dorms
Once again, the city is attempting to tackle stealth dorms. This time they are looking toward a reduction in occupancy rates as one tool to fix the problem. The proposed code amendment would reduce the maximum number of unrelated adults in a single-family structure from six to four. Critics worry that the change could […]