Legislation would make zoning protests more difficult

Bills pending in both the Texas House and Senate would make it more difficult for neighbors to successfully fight against zoning changes. Community Not Commodity has notified its members that the House Land and Resource Management Committee will hear testimony related to House Bill 24 by Rep. Angelia Orr, R-Hill County, beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday in room E2-026.

Specifically, the bill contains provisions designed to reduce notice of citywide zoning changes as well as individual changes. It is also written in a way that greatly increases the required number of neighbors protesting to impact the vote.

Under the current regulations, if 20 percent of the neighbors sign a petition against a zoning change, the change will go through only if three-fourths of City Council members vote for it. HB 24 would require 60 percent of property owners in the area to object in order to require the three-fourths vote from City Council.

Austin Rep. Gina Hinojosa sits on the committee hearing the bill on Thursday. A spokeswoman in her office said they had received a few calls about it Tuesday afternoon.

Anyone wishing to testify on this bill, or any other, can sign up for the process. Witnesses may also register their opinions by going to this website.