CodeNEXT

February, 2017

After three years of revision and a $4 million overhaul of the zoning and land-use regulations, CodeNEXT has been unveiled. It is an attempt to blend the city’s zoning code with its lofty “Imagine Austin” plan. However, until the city releases more details and zoning maps that specify what can be built and where, there is no way to know whether it fulfills the intent. It is a 1,100-plus page document which does not include other releases, such as the all-important zoning maps, affordable housing incentives and traffic-management provisions.

The plan dramatically simplifies zoning and land-use regulations and organizes them in a format easier for the public to use. With the new plan, homeowners will find regulations and required permits in one place. For developers, regulations will be streamlined and permits will be easier to get. There will be two zoning areas. The non-transect zones are not expected to be controversial since they will be for suburban areas and will closely resemble current zoning. However, the transect zones will be controversial because it will allow central Austin neighborhoods more density in the way of apartments, duplexes and mid-rise buildings. The transect zones will be following goals set by Imagine Austin, which envisions a compact, connected Austin that is less car-dependent, and more walking, bicycling, and transit friendly. However, land-use and zoning in the city core of Austin, as well as urban neighborhoods cannot be understood until the Zoning Maps are released in April. To view the first draft of CodeNEXT rules visit: http://codenext.civicomment.org