KEY POINTS:
- The Austin City Council is scheduled to vote on their latest rezoning plan tomorrow, December 1
- The plan would allow tall new developments along neighborhoods throughout the city
- Concerned residents should contact our mayor and council members today and tell them to put the brakes on the plan
Tomorrow, Mayor Steve Adler and the Austin City Council are scheduled to hold a rushed, holiday-season vote on their latest rezoning plan, which threatens to gut our community’s longstanding compatibility standards.
Austin’s compatibility standards govern the height and setback of big buildings near residential areas, and they’ve been in place for decades. If passed, the city’s plan will whittle them down, allowing the construction of tall residential and commercial developments on corridors throughout the city, backing up to existing neighborhoods.
Our outgoing mayor and his developer-funded allies are trying to ram the plan through in the lull between Thanksgiving and Christmas, after giving residents only a few weeks to consider it. Members of the city’s own staff argue the initiative isn’t ready for council consideration.
In June of this year, the city council passed a vague resolution to change compatibility on an undefined list of transportation corridors. Months later, just before Thanksgiving, the city’s staff and Planning Commission posted a pair of draft ordinances (here and here), each proposing to reduce compatibility by as much as 80% within a half-mile of large and medium-sized corridors.
Kevin McLaughlin, a member of the “urbanist” organization AURA, revealed the plan’s ultimate goal back in 2018:
“We need a quarter- to a half-mile of four-story, three-story and two-story multifamily homes that step down from major corridors such as Burnet and Lamar,” [McLaughlin] added, referring to compatibility standards that govern the heights of structures adjacent to other properties based on distance.
If you’re concerned by the city’s plan, we urge you to file an official rezoning protest to help protect your property and neighborhood. City Hall cannot rezone properties that are the subject of valid and timely protests without approval by a supermajority of the city council (nine of 11 votes).
We also ask that you consider donating to our legal fund so that we can process new protests, encourage more Austinites to file theirs, and protect our community.
Contact Mayor Adler and your representative on the city council using the information below and let them know your voice matters! Tell them compatibility standards are the foundation of a livable city, and fair and transparent processes are indispensable to a heathy democracy. Check this map if you aren’t sure which council member represents you.
Together we can build an Austin for everyone!
Mayor Steve Adler:
steve.adler@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2100
Natasha Harper-Madison (District 1):
natasha.madison@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2101
Vanessa Fuentes (District 2):
vanessa.fuentes@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2102
Sabino “Pio” Renteria (District 3):
sabino.renteria@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2103
José “Chito” Vela (District 4):
jose.vela@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2104
Ann Kitchen (District 5):
ann.kitchen@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2105
Mackenzie Kelly (District 6):
mackenzie.kelly@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2106
Leslie Pool (District 7):
leslie.pool@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2107
Paige Ellis (District 8):
paige.ellis@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2108
Kathie Tovo (District 9):
kathie.tovo@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2109
Alison Alter (District 10):
alison.alter@austintexas.gov | 512-978-2110
You may send a single email to the mayor and all council members using this form.