[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6533325,"mediaKeyId","3789337-740e08c55a99345aaaf64a9f998af3ae","parentId",3789337,"title","City officials outline implementation of infill ordinance and 'site plan light' rules to reduce drainage costs","audioSeconds",1178,"startMs",2540000,"endMs",3718000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789337-740e08c55a99345aaaf64a9f998af3ae&start=2540&end=3718","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789337-740e08c55a99345aaaf64a9f998af3ae/thumbnail_2540000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6533325/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/City-officials-outline-implementation-of-infill-ordinance-and-site-plan-light-rules-to-reduce-drainage-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533325-6d0253c14f98fb90d56c3b556a52987e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445314&Signature=WrHsPBeK50gkvxG3xdlsjiM-lfUfYmUWMvVsio2YaZalq26YhIql8c0rjJQHBK7ljr7lBFtMR1q7agok1Sn6FcAyycJivnitRaJxpdeB3AwJYTNGs6fekMtJwU-kE2O5CfRQtugxiQr9oK--WlQ89roYd3Bi9ssh4wcF8iNaxtTh4StY4SF3XIIr385S8Qh93ndwsjV9HH858H52Q2X97ftd-~WrAEufpuFek22opmruKCQhBGeqj8ZjVGyFTNE0LSxPgQJJLuCzYoRscxi9WLIoQNqUq5ukGwvJOki7j9WeiKUEnV6iLLCLcgBKceD12I4waNhUkRy0NmzfTmtjQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-06-12T00:00:00Z","article","City Development Services and Watershed Protection staff told the Housing and Planning Committee on July 12 that the city is implementing the infill development ordinance intended to simplify review and reduce drainage-related costs for small lot subdivisions and certain small multifamily projects.

Brent Lloyd, a development officer in the Development Services Department, said the ordinance focuses on drainage requirements and administrative processes that historically were calibrated for large greenfield subdivisions. He described three primary project categories: very small lot re-subdivisions (parcels less than 17,780 square feet), projects up to 1 acre that require limited grading, and small-scale multifamily \"site plan light\" projects of roughly five to 16 units. \"The ordinance will take effect next week on June 16,\" Lloyd said in the briefing materials and presentation.

Matt Holland of Watershed Protection explained that for parcels under 17,780 square feet the city will generally not require additional drainage review beyond what a single-family building permit requires. For parcels between 17,780 square feet and 1 acre staff described a simplified grading review and guardrails to limit lot-to-lot impacts. For site-plan-light multifamily projects (roughly half-acre or less) staff said they will allow simplified approaches; projects between a half-acre and 1 acre would be expected to connect to a nearby storm drain where feasible, with staff recommending connection up to about 50 feet rather than forcing very long, expensive runs of pipe.

Stakeholders asked for options to lower the cost and complexity of detention calculations. Staff said they plan to restore a simplified \"modified rational method\" option in the Drainage Criteria Manual for qualifying projects up to 1 acre and to explore modular detention (small, distributed detention devices on lots) and other options. Lloyd and Holland said the Technical Advisory Review Panel (TARP) and stakeholder working groups are reviewing proposed technical language; staff expected the storm-drain connection guidance to be posted for review in late June and to move toward adoption by late July or early September.

Staff cited cost impacts in past projects where drainage design and connections drove high up-front costs; one representative example discussed in the briefing material estimated drainage could account for roughly 40% of certain project development costs. Committee members asked about enforcement and lot-to-lot flooding. Liz Johnston, environmental officer with Watershed Protection, said the department maintains a private-pond inspection program and will inspect privately maintained ponds and take enforcement steps if a pond is not functioning or maintained properly; for other disputes staff said property owners may need to pursue legal remedies in some cases. The committee was advised that 311 may be used to request inspections and service tickets for suspected problems.

Staff said additional policy direction requested by council will be addressed in a July 1 report and through follow-up work with Austin Water, Austin Energy and Transportation/Public Works on utility and infrastructure triggers that can affect project feasibility. Lloyd and Holland said they expect the majority of qualifying projects to avoid the highest-cost drainage pathways and that the changes aim to make the city’s review process better matched to small infill and missing-middle housing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Austin Housing & Planning Committee - Jun 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Development Services and Watershed Protection staff briefed the committee on steps to implement Austin's infill development ordinance, including a 'site plan light' review for small subdivisions and multifamily projects. Staff described thresholds, simplified drainage approaches, storm-drain connection guidance and next steps for technical rules.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533330,"Downtown Austin historic resources survey documents nearly 2,000 resources, highlights underrepresented histories",790,543000,1333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789337-740e08c55a99345aaaf64a9f998af3ae&start=543&end=1333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789337-740e08c55a99345aaaf64a9f998af3ae/thumbnail_543000.jpg","/articles/6533330/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Downtown-Austin-historic-resources-survey-documents-nearly-2000-resources-highlights-underrepresented-histories","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533330-45ee9f07ce690ec10c61ba069b58f5c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445314&Signature=FAWMMFNhVE0oS92MaNhMwuMWdg60OrsMWP8tRo05V4e3KvEPq1gyVjlntoQgwO0DqikMLgzur7~wBMwCUp37csu7vvvJc2uOKRW3nIoJEGKgWzyjBsxGZy35~r9yPPCH7ir9CvMfZ0ZnKsbDzGvboYb9ETvF5-l~2KNmiCcfl8CU6oHH8Zx9oCNqRZ0~oP2JaG1gVPgA4Z1sgsDm6YuPeFYH87i31e5XFQVvUriOoZl~mJyqNZvfXkhXFanydSN5TwdSI-iNuzFuVL1dHzZSc27cRaknJlxZwd5qjDNCRg94vExK8FeTtxD~gS9da7avDowbrR4fnYWXtG~G3-FKiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kim McKnight, division manager for historic preservation in the City of Austin Planning Department, and Sofia Wagner, the city’s historic resource survey coordinator, presented the Downtown Austin historic resources survey to the Housing and Planning Committee on July 12.

The survey documented approximately 1,964 resources across about 1,553 parcels and evaluated properties built before 1975 for architectural character, historic association and potential designation eligibility. The survey area is bounded by Enfield Road and MLK Jr. Boulevard to the north, I-35 to the east, Lady Bird Lake to the south and Mopac to the west. Survey work included field documentation, historic research (including occupancy histories) and integration of data into the city’s GIS tools.

Sofia Wagner told the committee the team documented buildings and related features and photographed each resource; staff assessed integrity and possible eligibility for local landmark designation, local historic district zoning, and National Register listing. Kim McKnight said the survey identifies areas where groupings of historic buildings may qualify as new historic districts and noted the survey helps inform permit reviews, designation applications and public education.

McKnight emphasized that a survey is advisory research and does not automatically change zoning or taxes. She said local designation can alter zoning where a property receives historic overlay zoning and may make properties eligible for property tax reductions if owners comply with design standards; National Register listing does not change zoning but can make properties eligible for federal rehabilitation tax credits. McKnight also said involuntary designation against an owner’s wishes is possible under city law but rare: \"Since 2014 only 2 buildings have been designated against an owner's wishes,\" she said.

Council members asked about archaeology and equity-focused preservation. McKnight said archaeology is a component of the city’s equity-based preservation plan and that the city is discussing resources and staffing to expand archaeological work, noting the Texas Archaeological Research Laboratory at UT Austin maintains classified records accessible to professional archaeologists. She also described coordination with multiple city departments on an implementation plan and a public dashboard tracking progress.

Examples cited during the briefing included properties evaluated as eligible for landmark status or historic-district listing; McKnight described the McFarland McBee House as an example where community action and nonprofit involvement supported preservation after designation was initiated. She said the final survey will be delivered to staff next week and the Historic Landmark Commission will receive a briefing in July, with the city planning to update surveys roughly every 10 years.

Funding for many surveys has come from the city’s historic preservation fund, supported by hotel occupancy tax allocations.

The survey and associated materials are available on the Historic Preservation Office website; McKnight and Wagner encouraged preservation and neighborhood stakeholders to review the full report.","City staff presented the 2024 Downtown Austin historic resources survey to the Housing and Planning Committee. The survey documented about 1,964 resources across roughly 1,553 parcels, identified clusters for potential historic districts, and noted archaeological research and equity-based preservation as priorities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533335,"Austin staff present timeline for land development code amendments; state law changes could alter schedule",244,90000,334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789337-740e08c55a99345aaaf64a9f998af3ae&start=90&end=334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789337-740e08c55a99345aaaf64a9f998af3ae/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6533335/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-staff-present-timeline-for-land-development-code-amendments-state-law-changes-could-alter-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533335-1bb490287e677afaa62f96d381abcc13/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445314&Signature=Om9TlnardnNRkbdnT5juIeowh2Hoxt~oHUGySfAZ~E5FTM4-ftwchwI3jAL-X4T1ACOn3buLcJakRzYiNEAfRMbunc3XhU57PXgpXrY0KSr5aaPzji9Q7sfEAlBVZJ6cL9TwvNn5jlbEg60mHarzi6~ldT2aTvFhgU154vGFenw0OuuOJnwuq4KMZvr4Ng3Sg5st-Jg5M0sccyv6~Xty~Uiv7WWn~OUjJwYJHQFb6mskyqYdW0R5y~E4-tsfkbaiduHANB94idx53A1kwpLs1lTb0f4uKu15NjTStkehUF~kBpWhw4szD6NAkcAwGKpbt1jPKONm64VbWNLXvAiydA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stevie Greathouse, division manager in the City of Austin Planning Department, told the Housing and Planning Committee on July 12 that staff have refined the schedule for multiple forthcoming Land Development Code amendments and will continue to adjust dates as they evaluate the impacts of the recent Texas legislative session.

Greathouse said work is already underway on a range of topics: a University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) update that was postponed at the June 5 City Council meeting and is scheduled to return to council on Sept. 25; proposed tree-preservation and planting requirement amendments that could appear on the Aug. 28 council agenda; and study work on potential new mixed-use and missing-middle zoning districts with results expected in the fall and potential code amendments in early 2026. She also said staff are integrating phase 2 of the equitable transit-oriented development overlay with citywide density bonus program updates and incorporating direction from a June 5 resolution on tiered density bonuses.

Greathouse cautioned that staff “will be continuing to work with the law department and our city executives to evaluate the impacts of the recent Texas legislative session on our work,” and that stakeholders should expect adjustments as staff ensure compliance with state law. When asked about timing, Greathouse said Senate Bill 840 would go into effect on Sept. 1 \"I believe that is the case,\" she said, while adding she did not want to be quoted as a legal interpretation.

Other items Greathouse listed: work on modifications to notification requirements with a goal to bring forward modifications by the end of 2025; initial outreach this fall on an East Riverside corridor plan update (with adoption possible in 2026); and an anticipated downtown density bonus update that would move forward with a potential Downtown Austin plan review, with both potentially returning for review and adoption in late 2026. She said the schedule included with the meeting materials is ambitious and will be refined as projects move forward.

Council members asked for additional outreach and coordination: Council Member Mike Siegel asked whether meetings with the University of Texas about UNO concerns had been scheduled; Greathouse said staff were working to schedule those conversations \"in partnership with city executives over the summer.\" Chair Natasha Harper Madison and other members raised questions about the interaction of these code efforts with other planning and outreach priorities.

For more information or to provide feedback, Greathouse directed the public to speakupaustin.org/ldcupdates.","Planning Department staff briefed the Housing and Planning Committee on the timeline for multiple Land Development Code amendments, including the University Neighborhood Overlay update, tree preservation changes, tiered density bonuses and notification modifications. Staff warned recent Texas legislation may require adjustments to the schedule.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6533340,"Housing and Planning Committee unanimously approves April 29 minutes",5105,41000,5146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3789337-740e08c55a99345aaaf64a9f998af3ae&start=41&end=5146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3789337-740e08c55a99345aaaf64a9f998af3ae/thumbnail_41000.jpg","/articles/6533340/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Housing-and-Planning-Committee-unanimously-approves-April-29-minutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533340-6c2e4bc03b69eafaf16813f2c721441e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445314&Signature=FbxlhXBevgjxFVQeAgICnkLqDvhjj1TWuJ05VNJwTqhMk8n7KscYZ1jOXxleQbBDLfSrGPwIzjVNBRX6wcxGWtayfM4NeJiC3OvdpmCepdQRXJaJYbWmi~976GfUlrvNLWYu7Q-R~s9Mn1Br2eNqL4IxsBoWuDLUgTXwLYpMuETO1kp7scPjhxtk9q1lZDHvI8S8l5ZioP2WDeWpLH9yDgjpOcjHNidO9WakACH67Y1icHC9~9wFX2Qr1I-6tURvK3uhczSzFAB8XMcWyr2Q4SEo6NBrKF8WMNInFfEYLQ-bUxjm21ylA0EZwsEX~prm8urFkjby5CMMjxic-hgmVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Austin Housing and Planning Committee unanimously approved the minutes of its April 29, 2025 meeting during its July 12 session.

The motion to approve the minutes was moved by Council Member Mike Siegel and seconded by Council Member Natasha Harper Madison. Committee Vice Chair Council Member Chito Vela called for the ayes; the minutes were recorded as approved unanimously with the committee quorum of three members present. Council Member Leslie Ellis was noted as not present.

The approval was procedural; committee business proceeded to briefings on land development code amendments, the Downtown Austin historic resource survey, and infill development ordinance implementation. The committee adjourned at 2:27 p.m.","The City of Austin Housing and Planning Committee approved the minutes from its April 29, 2025 meeting by unanimous vote. The motion was made by Council Member Mike Siegel and seconded by Council Member Natasha Harper Madison.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City officials outline implementation of infill ordinance and 'site plan light' rules to reduce drainage costs

Downtown Austin historic resources survey documents nearly 2,000 resources, highlights underrepresented histories

Austin staff present timeline for land development code amendments; state law changes could alter schedule

Housing and Planning Committee unanimously approves April 29 minutes