New Zoning Category Proposed in Austin

A proposed new zoning category would add flexibility to Austin’s zoning code, reports Mike Christen in the Austin Business Journal.

The new category, dubbed ‘town zoning’ (TZ), “would allow both residential and pedestrian-oriented commercial development with base building heights of up to 60 feet and up to 95% impervious cover. Site development and parking standards could be modified on a case-by-case basis if a developer pledges to make affordable at least 10% of the project's "incremental increase in units" — defined as the total number of residential units minus the number under base development standards.” Additionally, “Rental units would be reserved for those making 60% of the median family income level while units for sale could go to those making up to 80% MFI.”

Commissioner Greg Anderson emphasized that the proposal is a small concession in lieu of a broader update to the city’s zoning and land use rules. “This comes up very short from a new land development code but this will help us get a lot of housing units and whatever else makes sense for certain sites, in places where we can’t do those things today because we don’t have the tools to do them.”

The proposal was approved by the Planning Commission “nearly unanimously,” but needs to be drafted and approved by another committee before coming before the City Council.