Austin city council couldn’t come to a complete consensus on policy for the land development code.
But they did find some last session. Home Builders Association of Greater Austin’s David Glenn said council agreed to zone for 3-times Austin’s anticipated capacity, something the HBA considers a best practice.
They also agreed generally for reduced regulation on the “missing middle housing,” Glenn describes that as “townhomes, Rowhomes, court yards accessory dwelling units , that type of housing product.” Glenn said if the city does use more incentives rather than regulations, they could help developers work faster on smaller affordable and middle class home developments.
Glenn saw the biggest disagreements in parking standards and Compatibility. Comparability are regulations that dictate what can and can’t be build around certain areas like single family dwelling districts. Several Councilmembers want denser housing along transit lines but could not agree on what it should look like.
On the parking side Glenn says there was a divide on limiting requirements or just doing away with them completely, which is something the HBA is fine with doing away with, explaining the market can guild builders better than regulations.
Austin City Council will try to again settle policy direction for the code rewrite this Thursday (May 2nd). Glenn said the HBA fears council will get bogged down again.
(Photo:Shutterstock/karamysh)
