Congratulations. We are happy to report that on March 3, 2016, the City Council voted 9-1-1 to delete the expiration date of the 2014 occupancy ordinance. Councilman Zimmerman abstained and Council member Troxclair voted nay. Thank each of you for bringing about this “win” – for signing the petition, for helping to pass neighborhood association […]
At its meeting March 20th, the City Council passed on final reading an ordinance to reduce occupancy limits in single-family neighborhoods within the McMansion area for new structures or remodels adding more than 69 square feet of gross floor area or sleeping rooms. The Austin American Statesman story, below, is a good summary. The ordinance […]
On Thursday, March 20th, the City Council will take up on 2d and 3d reading the ordinance to reduce occupancy limits in single-family neighborhoods in the urban core. We ask that you please call or send emails with the following message: Thank the Mayor and City Council for the time and effort spent on addressing […]
BY MARY SANGER, MIKE WONG AND NURIA ZARAGOZA – SPECIAL TO THE AMERICAN-STATESMAN Last month, the Austin City Council gave its initial approval to an ordinance to reduce occupancy limits for new structures and some remodels in single-family zoned neighborhoods. The decision reduces the limit from six to four unrelated adults. The ordinance is limited […]
The City Council convened the occupancy limit public hearing on February 13th at 11:00 p.m., and it lasted until 2:30 a.m. The entire Council worked very hard, as did both sides. Our opposition came mostly from students and young adults arguing that occupancy limit reduction will reduce affordable housing. None of the institutional affordable housing […]
Re: Occupancy Limit Reduction Proposed Code Amendment The Affordability Impact Statement (“AIS”) states that there would be a negative impact on housing affordability. This conclusion is based on the following numbered assumptions, which we challenge as not based on data and accurate analysis. We note our reasons below each assumption. 1. “If rental prices stay […]
We are just two steps away from protecting our Austin neighborhoods from stealth dorms – but we need your personal involvement to make this a reality. This Tuesday, Jan. 28, the Planning Commission will vote on reducing occupancy of duplexes and houses in single-family zoned districts from six to four unrelated adults. The Planning Commission’s […]
On Thursday, November 21st, the City Council voted 7 to 0 in favor of a resolution to start the process for adoption of an ordinance by January 30th to reduce occupancy limits to 4 unrelated adults in single-family zoned property. This is what we all have been advocating. Going in to the City Council meeting, we were […]
Austin City Manager Marc Ott made the right move tapping former state District Judge Bob Perkins to mediate issues regarding the city’s proposal to expand urban farms. Perkins brings independence, heft and cultural competence to zoning matters that also touch on race and class. At the core of the controversy is the integrity of Austin’s […]
Council member Tovo and Council member Martinez are sponsoring three separate rental registration pilot program ordinances and related evaluation program. Each ordinance covers a specific area of the City: the North Austin Civic Association and Rundberg area; the East Riverside/Oltorf area; the Central Austin Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee, Northfield and Hyde Park neighborhoods They do […]
