Amendments to Item #33 Vertical Mixed Use
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2022 4:02 pm
Colleagues,
Our VMU-zoned sites are all on major transit corridors, places where everyone agrees we need to focus development. Getting development on our corridors right is critical to the success of Project Connect, to our efforts to address our housing crises, and to reach our climate change goals and reduce traffic and CO2 emissions.
To that end, I plan to offer the following two amendments to item #33 on the 4/21 agenda regarding Vertical Mixed Use Buildings.
1) Exempt VMU from the height limits by compatibility.
As outlined on slide 14 of the staff research (austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=380650) in the council agenda backup, only 41% of VMU-zoned sites can build to their base height allowed under zoning because of compatibility standards, and only 34% of VMU-zoned heights could build to the bonus height allowed under VMU2.
My amendment would not impact other compatibility standards, such as those providing for setbacks from single family homes.
2) Eliminate parking requirements for VMU zoned sites, with the exception of parking for persons with disabilities.
Eliminating parking requirements doesn’t mean parking won’t be built; many builders will still choose to provide parking for their customers and tenants to meet market demand. But as we build our transit system and create more places where it is easy for residents to use public transit and within walking distances of shops, businesses, and places of work, it does not make sense to require parking in those places.
Saludos,
Chito
Our VMU-zoned sites are all on major transit corridors, places where everyone agrees we need to focus development. Getting development on our corridors right is critical to the success of Project Connect, to our efforts to address our housing crises, and to reach our climate change goals and reduce traffic and CO2 emissions.
To that end, I plan to offer the following two amendments to item #33 on the 4/21 agenda regarding Vertical Mixed Use Buildings.
1) Exempt VMU from the height limits by compatibility.
As outlined on slide 14 of the staff research (austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=380650) in the council agenda backup, only 41% of VMU-zoned sites can build to their base height allowed under zoning because of compatibility standards, and only 34% of VMU-zoned heights could build to the bonus height allowed under VMU2.
My amendment would not impact other compatibility standards, such as those providing for setbacks from single family homes.
2) Eliminate parking requirements for VMU zoned sites, with the exception of parking for persons with disabilities.
Eliminating parking requirements doesn’t mean parking won’t be built; many builders will still choose to provide parking for their customers and tenants to meet market demand. But as we build our transit system and create more places where it is easy for residents to use public transit and within walking distances of shops, businesses, and places of work, it does not make sense to require parking in those places.
Saludos,
Chito