Austin Neighborhood Objects to Proposed Transect Zone

The CodeNext project of updating the city of Austin's zoning code and land use policies has faced a controversial and protracted period of public scrutiny. The Allandale neighborhood provides a case study.

1 minute read

July 19, 2017, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Catherine Marfin reports on potential changes to the zoning code in the Austin neighborhood of Allandale, as proposed by the draft of the CodeNext zoning code overhaul.

"Most of the existing regulations for the city’s residential neighborhoods were preserved in the initial draft of CodeNEXT, the overhaul of the Austin’s land use and zoning policies," writes Marfin. "Yet some communities, Allandale more than most, could see far more sweeping changes."

According to Marfin, Allandale is mostly a single-family neighborhood, "established in several phases from the late 1940s to the late 1960s" and "characterized by the post-World War II and midcentury single-family houses, the many original homeowners and the tree canopies lining the streets."

Under CodeNEXT, 80 percent of the neighborhood is zoned as a transect, and residents are concerned that designation strays too far from the single-family zoning currently in place. One building type that could potentially be developed in the neighborhood if it becomes a transect zone: cottage courts. Some residents, as represented by the Allandale Neighborhood Association, have collected their critiques of CodeNEXT into a position paper [pdf]. The question of whether the existing character of the neighborhood has been protected in line with expectation of these residents is obviously still up for debate.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017 in Austin American-Statesman

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing