Some controversial policies passed off of the Council’s “consent agenda.” These are some of the actions that your elected city council took:
- Approved the resolution for front yard businesses in single family neighborhoods, under the guise of “economic opportunity” with all members voting yes. They expect to identify neighborhoods for this “pink” overlay program in the next 90 days. Council Member Harper-Madisons office claim that this “is a state-level mandate (HB 2464), not a local policy choice”, contradicts the intent of HB 2464 that defines a “no-impact home-based business” as one that “operates in a manner in which none of its activities are visible from a street.” Having front yard accessory structures with signage certainly does not align with this law and is not mandated. One speaker noted that this idea “is a product of a DC area neo-libertarian think tank and legal advocacy organization that took in over $50 million last year and has over $140 million in assets, much contributed by billionaires.”
- Approved the resolution to create missing middle/mixed use zoning categories which could “replace” existing single family zones. Their advisors include Austin Infill Coalition, AIA Austin, Home Builders Association Austin, ABOR, AURA, Planning Commissioners, and City staff. Only CM Marc Duchen voted against this “But as people want to settle into homes, they’re going to leave Austin. And no matter how much upzoning we do, we won’t have a community [i]f we can’t make this a place where families can remain. We continue to force families out of our cities … Given our track record, it seems like this proposal will be making building and preserving single family homes less likely. And maybe that satisfies the needs of a few.” Watch this clip of CM Duchen detailing the city’s hostility to single family neighborhoods.
- Approved giant digital electronic signs all over austin at bus stops. Council Member Mike Siegel attempted to make amendments to curb the signs in single family neighborhoods and limit the total number of signs to 200 but he only had CM Duchen’s support. Previously Austin had fought all the way to the Supreme Court about regulating signs, but this council flipped the position. CM Duchen said, ” worry that our new strategy, whenever we do need money, is going to go to, you know, a lobbyist to dispense candy or corporation in place of a real policy with real guidelines.” In the end CM Siegel CM Duchen and CM Qadri voted against the giant signs.
- Rejected a postponement and approved amplifying a rezoning on a contaminated property near UT from 60 feet to 445 feet – so that it would “pencil out” for the developer, despite protests by nearby neighborhoods and the University of Texas. Richard Suttle, representing UT said: “If you don’t postpone and you do support the 445 [foot height], you will be basically rolling two neighborhood groups, the university of Texas and your city staff on two different issues”. CM Duchen voted no and CM Ellis abstained.
The Council continues its assault on single-family neighborhoods indifferent to the long-term consequences for families and schools.