July 4th marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Now, 250 years later, we use this day to celebrate our freedoms and good fortune. One could argue that Americans are never more united as a community than on the Fourth of July. We wish you a joyful celebration of the 4th.
“Community” is at the heart of our strong, diverse CNC coalition. It was formed over 10 years ago to promote land development policies that benefit all of the city’s residents. We support bottom-up planning, strong anti-displacement programs, and a community-led, consensus-driven land development code to accommodate growth and provide true affordability. It was formed to counter the notion that neighborhoods where we live and raise our families were interchangeable pieces that could be cut up and sold to investors. It was formed to insist that our neighborhoods be treated as communities, not commodities.
In the intervening years, the City leaders have repeatedly pushed through land use regulation changes to encourage the redevelopment of established neighborhoods. They have encouraged the transformation of our communities into a very different vision of Austin, one that is focused on profit not people, acting in undemocratic ways to do so. The City skirted the law and bullied the public, who fought back with court judgments and persistent demands for community collaboration. In the end, a majority of the city council succeeded, for now, in passing part of its agenda – its so-called H.O.M.E. ordinances that enable multi-unit development and lot resubdivision at the pleasure of the developers and investors. It also passed companion ordinances that reduced the requirement for commercial buildings to be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood or provide parking. The proposed (Unequitable) Transit-Oriented Districts blanket large areas of existing communities. The City has resolved to allow greater deregulation, such as permitting businesses to operate out of small buildings (commercial ADUs) in front yards.
The final chapter on all of this has not been written. What has been done can be corrected if there is the will and the spirit in our community to take the reins and do so. The community will have the final word. Let’s raise our voices!