On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, you can reaffirm your right to review and approve the city’s next comprehensive revision of the land development code by voting “Yes” on Proposition J.
If Austin voters approve Proposition J, then there will be a mandatory waiting period and a separate public vote before the “next” CodeNEXT (meaning any comprehensive revision of our land-development code) can become law. Proposition J is the result of a petition signed by roughly 30,000 Austin-area voters who wanted a greater voice in the CodeNEXT process—and they are determined to have a say in any similar plan that city leaders take on in the future.
Proposition J’s waiting period and voter approval requirements apply to comprehensive, once-in-a-generation overhauls of the city’s land-development laws. It will not apply to specific land development projects, targeted improvements to the land code, public works projects, or the enactment of new programs (such as flood mitigation, new environmental standards, or affordable housing).
When CodeNEXT was “suspended” by the city council in August, council members indicated that they intended to restart a comprehensive land development code revision after the November 2018 election. The city council chose ballot language for Proposition J that suggests a waiting period as long as three years after adoption for a comprehensive revision, but that is misleading. Under the City’s timeline, any waiting period would likely be about a year or less after adoption.
Proposition J is necessary because big land developers have too much influence in City Hall, and the Austin City Council has stopped paying attention to area residents when it comes to local land use. If Proposition J passes, then our council members will be forced to start listening to voters again. Proposition J will create consensus, promote democracy, and allow us to shape our future rather than surrender to it.
It took thousands of hours of work by dedicated Austinites to study CodeNEXT and expose its flaws. It took 30,000 signatures by local voters to grab the attention of our city council, and then a courtroom victory to ensure Proposition J a place on the November ballot.
You’ve earned the right to vote on Proposition J. Exercise that right. This November, vote “yes” on Proposition J and regain your voice as a resident of the City of Austin.
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