City Council is set to consider a resolution (Item #26) this week, on May 7. The resolution is broadly written, vague in key areas, and rests on several faulty premises, but its intent is clear: to expand the impact of the H.O.M.E. ordinances into all zoning categories where single-family homes are allowed. Here are some of their plans:
- Make H.O.M.E. available in Lake Austin (LA) and Residential (RR )zoning districts and PUD zoning districts like Mueller (every zoning district where single-family is permitted must be consistent with the H.O.M.E. ordinance). This would also impact areas with Neighborhood Conservation Combining Districts (NCCD) and Historic Districts, conditional overlays, and regulating districts. The effect is to override focused local planning.
- Reduce lot widths
- Allow front porches to extend to 7.5 feet from the front lot line
- No building coverage limits, only impervious cover limits
Notably, their proposal does nothing to promote affordability. For example, it fails to appropriately constrain unit sizes on small lots for that purpose.
These new code amendments are to be delivered by December 3, 2026. Sponsors of this Resolution include Council Members Laine, Vela, Velasquez, Qadri and Alter (who added a motion to make subdivision of lots faster and cheaper).