Short attention-span version: If you want the code re-write to be equitable, community driven and transparent, go to this site and file a protest against the code:
fileyourprotest.com
Now here's the long-winded version:
In 2006, I spent 6 months working with a group of 18 developers and community volunteers (with help and guidance from City staff) to work out a "McMansion" ordinance for Austin. We had countless public meetings and worked hard to come up with a compromise that would allow builders and developers to make a living, while protecting the rights of neighbors and helping to slow the sudden wave of demolitions, that were causing a spike in housing costs and property taxes.
We didn't agree on everything, but in the end we produced an ordinance that got unanimous approval from the City Council. The ordinance even won a "Best of Austin" award from the Chronicle that year, for "Best New and Potentially Sexy Zoning Ordinance in Austin". The Chronicle cited the fact that the McMansion ordinance: "actually protects the little guy, the humble home dweller, you and me!"
Why was that process so successful, and why is our current code re-write (whatever it's called) going so badly? I think the simple answer is that the McMansion ordinance process was a) demanded by the citizens and b) designed for consensus from the start. The people told City Hall that we needed to stop the proliferation of mega-homes and duplexes, and when we sat down to create a solution, we invited all sides to sit at the table to work out a compromise.
The current code process has been expensive (over $10m so far) and arduous, with nothing but controversy from the start. That's likely due to the fact that it's a top-down process, created and directed by politicians.
There is one thing that could put this process on the path to success. If the citizens of Austin's state-given Right to Protest is upheld, it would force the City Council to have a "supermajority" (9 of 11 votes) in order to pass any new zoning code. The Mayor wouldn't be able to get the job done without buy-in from 2 other council members. That alone would re-set the process to begin as a transparent and fact-based effort to update our development code so it benefits ALL Austinites, not just those that make their living from real estate and development.
So far, the City has been adamant that the right to protest a zoning change on your property or those adjacent to it don't apply in this case. It's amazing, but true- the biggest zoning change you'll ever see, and they're denying you the rights granted by State law for all other zoning cases.
Now there's a website that allows you to file a protest against the upzoning of your property: fileyourprotest.com
It only takes a few seconds to add your name and property to the list, and it will help in the effort to seek a court judgement about our Protest Rights as the City Council vote approaches. The site has FAQ's about protest rights and the case against the City. The Bottom Line is that it could help to add your name to the list, because if the court case is successful, your rights will be ensured. If the court case is unsuccessful, there's no harm done and no consequences. (If you don't add yourself to the list, your rights could be waived.)
It's going to cost about $50k to pay the attorneys working on this case. If you can donate to the legal fund, that would be very helpful. Here's the link for that.
https://donateway.com/donate/jrK7BSBb/community-not-commodity/payment
Many of you have been asking what you can do to help... here's an opportunity!!!
Thank you!!
Chris and Gina Allen
fileyourprotest.com
Now here's the long-winded version:
In 2006, I spent 6 months working with a group of 18 developers and community volunteers (with help and guidance from City staff) to work out a "McMansion" ordinance for Austin. We had countless public meetings and worked hard to come up with a compromise that would allow builders and developers to make a living, while protecting the rights of neighbors and helping to slow the sudden wave of demolitions, that were causing a spike in housing costs and property taxes.
We didn't agree on everything, but in the end we produced an ordinance that got unanimous approval from the City Council. The ordinance even won a "Best of Austin" award from the Chronicle that year, for "Best New and Potentially Sexy Zoning Ordinance in Austin". The Chronicle cited the fact that the McMansion ordinance: "actually protects the little guy, the humble home dweller, you and me!"
Why was that process so successful, and why is our current code re-write (whatever it's called) going so badly? I think the simple answer is that the McMansion ordinance process was a) demanded by the citizens and b) designed for consensus from the start. The people told City Hall that we needed to stop the proliferation of mega-homes and duplexes, and when we sat down to create a solution, we invited all sides to sit at the table to work out a compromise.
The current code process has been expensive (over $10m so far) and arduous, with nothing but controversy from the start. That's likely due to the fact that it's a top-down process, created and directed by politicians.
There is one thing that could put this process on the path to success. If the citizens of Austin's state-given Right to Protest is upheld, it would force the City Council to have a "supermajority" (9 of 11 votes) in order to pass any new zoning code. The Mayor wouldn't be able to get the job done without buy-in from 2 other council members. That alone would re-set the process to begin as a transparent and fact-based effort to update our development code so it benefits ALL Austinites, not just those that make their living from real estate and development.
So far, the City has been adamant that the right to protest a zoning change on your property or those adjacent to it don't apply in this case. It's amazing, but true- the biggest zoning change you'll ever see, and they're denying you the rights granted by State law for all other zoning cases.
Now there's a website that allows you to file a protest against the upzoning of your property: fileyourprotest.com
It only takes a few seconds to add your name and property to the list, and it will help in the effort to seek a court judgement about our Protest Rights as the City Council vote approaches. The site has FAQ's about protest rights and the case against the City. The Bottom Line is that it could help to add your name to the list, because if the court case is successful, your rights will be ensured. If the court case is unsuccessful, there's no harm done and no consequences. (If you don't add yourself to the list, your rights could be waived.)
It's going to cost about $50k to pay the attorneys working on this case. If you can donate to the legal fund, that would be very helpful. Here's the link for that.
https://donateway.com/donate/jrK7BSBb/community-not-commodity/payment
Many of you have been asking what you can do to help... here's an opportunity!!!
Thank you!!
Chris and Gina Allen