Land development code revision not sitting well with some property owners

Land development code changes in Austin

The city's land development code affects what is built in Austin and where.

AUSTIN, Texas - City staff was asked to bring more of "missing middle" housing to Austin. This means filling that gap between single-family homes and expensive apartments. So they drafted a new land development code, something that hasn't been overhauled in three decades.

"On Friday the staff released the revised draft and revised maps and so today and tomorrow we are having council conversations about what those changes are that the staff has made,” said Kathie Tovo, district 9.

One of the big changes in this second draft is the smaller number of transition zones, which are areas for high-density housing. The goal is to have more diverse housing for all. But the new draft isn't sitting well with everyone.

"One of the things of concern to my constituents is the map itself. The first draft map proposed really substantial upzoning in those residential areas that I represent. Most single-family residential properties in the city can currently have two units, in many cases if the proposed map goes through, they can have a minimum of four units or a minimum of six units just by right,” said Tovo.

This means more density. "That's a very significant change for many of my neighborhoods, to potentially go from two units to potentially as many as ten per tract,” said Tovo.

Attorney Fred Lewis and author at Community Not Commodity said his website has collected more than 10,000 signatures of property owners, who want to protest the rezoning of their property. He said if this new code is adopted, it would change the character of Austin.

"Right now the redevelopment being allowed under the current code will be put on steroids, they will grant developers more entitlement. That will accelerate displacement, it'll increase people's property values, and that will result in increased taxes. It'll result in middle and working class people being force to leave Austin,” said Lewis.

It is possible Austin City Council could vote on the second reading soon. A third and final vote will be required to get the wheels turning. "I believe we all would benefit from more time. We just got the revised maps on Friday and we may be voting as early as a week and a half,” said Tovo.

“The public is going to have six business days to consider at 1,400-page draft, and 40,000 zoning changes. There is no way the public is going to have any meaningful input into the process,” said Lewis.

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