KEY POINTS:
- Two bills supported by land developers are threatening the property rights of Austin homeowners
- The “Anti-Backyard Bill” will greatly increase density and reduce the size of residential lots citywide, and the “Skyscraper Bill” will allow tall buildings 50 feet from existing homes
- Concerned residents should contact State Senator Sarah Eckhardt immediately
The Texas Legislature is back in action, and it’s been besieged by powerful special interests opposed to single-family neighborhoods—just like those that supported CodeNEXT, pushed for transition zones, and supported City Hall’s recent ordinance weakening local compatibility standards.
Earlier this year, two bills supported by those special interests were filed in an attempt to gut the property rights of urban homeowners and rob the state’s big cities of local control over land use.
The Anti-Backyard and Skyscraper Bills
Senate Bill 1787 (the “Anti-Backyard Bill”)
The Anti-Backyard Bill stops cities located in counties with populations greater than 300,000 from determining their own minimum lot sizes. If it passes, cities like Austin, Round Rock, West Lake Hills, Lakeway, and others will not be able to require lots to be wider than 20 feet or deeper than 60 feet, the average size of a manufactured home. The Anti-Backyard Bill will also let developers build 31.1 units per acre or more—and local governments will be prevented from capping the height of buildings below three stories. Click here to read the Anti-Backyard Bill.
Senate Bill 491 (the “Skyscraper Bill”)
The Skyscraper Bill takes aim at compatibility standards, which govern the height and setback of big buildings near residential areas. If it passes, Austin land developers will be allowed to build large, multi-story structures just 50 feet from homes. Click here to read the Skyscraper Bill.
How You Can Take Action
Click one of the buttons below to contact State Senator Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin), and let her know you oppose Senate Bills 1787 and 491. Senator Eckhardt serves on the Texas Senate’s Committee on Local Government and is one of the key decision-makers when it comes to the Anti-Backyard and Skyscraper bills.