Austin Considers Zoning for a More Transit-Friendly Downtown

City rolls out new land code draft.

Austin, Texas (Photo by Stuart Seeger on Flickr) 

This is your first of three free stories this month. Become a free or sustaining member to read unlimited articles, webinars and ebooks.

Become A Member

Austin moved another step closer to a zoning code that allows for the more dense, transit-friendly neighborhoods laid out in its long-term growth plan called Imagine Austin. A draft of new zoning rules, called CodeNEXT, was released this week after three years of effort, the Austin American-Statesman reports.

In an attempt to unite the city’s zoning regulations with Imagine Austin goals — and simplify the city’s 400-plus possible zoning layers — the draft proposes two separate zoning schemes. One of those layers barely differs from the city’s current system and would likely be implemented in more suburban areas. The second zoning scheme is aimed at promoting density along major transit corridors and the urban core.

The draft, which cost $4 million to put together, already has plenty of supporters and detractors, but most who have taken a look agree on one thing: It’s way, way too long. At more than 1,100 pages, the draft doesn’t exactly meet its goal of making the zoning rulebook simpler to navigate and use, and some city leaders are holding off on making a public statement until they have more time to dig in.

Austinites attached to their single-family homes, however, are already expressing concern over the new, more prescriptive zones. One local activist, Mary Ingle, said the “transect” zones are an attempt by city planners to sneakily bring apartments, row houses and commercial development into Central Austin neighborhoods. “This is upzoning,” Ingle told the American-Statesman. “They want our land, and they want it cheap.”

Other council members, including Greg Casar, say they support more transit-oriented development, but want to make sure the new zones create enough affordable housing.

Mayor Steve Adler has said he hopes the rewritten land code will be approved by early next year.

Like what you’re reading? Get a browser notification whenever we post a new story. You’re signed-up for browser notifications of new stories. No longer want to be notified? Unsubscribe.

Kelsey E. Thomas is a writer and editor based in the most upper-left corner of the country. She writes about urban policy, equitable development and the outdoors (but also about nearly everything else) with a focus on solutions-oriented journalism. She is a former associate editor and current contributing editor at Next City.

Follow Kelsey

Tags: inclusionary zoningaustin

×
Next City App Never Miss A StoryDownload our app ×
×

You've reached your monthly limit of three free stories.

This is not a paywall. Become a free or sustaining member to continue reading.

  • Read unlimited stories each month
  • Our email newsletter
  • Webinars and ebooks in one click
  • Our Solutions of the Year magazine
  • Support solutions journalism and preserve access to all readers who work to liberate cities

Join 1096 other sustainers such as:

  • Gabby at $5/Month
  • Abigail at $10/Month
  • Gloria at $5/Month

Already a member? Log in here. U.S. donations are tax-deductible minus the value of thank-you gifts. Questions? Learn more about our membership options.

or pay by credit card:

All members are automatically signed-up to our email newsletter. You can unsubscribe with one-click at any time.

  • Donate $20 or $5/Month

    20th Anniversary Solutions of the Year magazine

has donated ! Thank you 🎉
Donate
×