Process to Revise Austin’s Land Development Code

GENERAL USE

George Adams, Assistant Director, PDRDGeorge Zapalac, Division Manager, PDRDMatt Dugan, Development Services Process Coordinator, PDRD

A priority program of

Presentation Overview

Why?

Why revise the code?

It’s Time to Revise the LDC when…

• Last comprehensive revision in 1984

• 181proposed amendments since 2005

• Over 60 zoning districts

• Multiple overlay districts on a single property

• Multiple duplicative & conflicting requirements

• Complexity convolutes the permitting and approval process

• It’s not user-friendly

offers clear direction for code revisions

• Vision statement• 30+ policies• 40+ actions• Priority Program #8

Imagine Austin Provides Opportunity

Code Revision General StepsImagine Austin’s LDC Revision Goals

Priority Program #8Revise Austin’s development regulations and processes to promote a compact and connected city.

• Complete neighborhoods and expanded housing choices

• Neighborhood protection• Household affordability • Environmental protection• Efficient service delivery• Clear guidance and

user-friendly

What?

What should be revised?

Regulations relating to…

• Procedures for review & approval

• Zoning

• Subdivisions

• Site Plans

• Drainage

• Transportation

• Environment

• Signs

On the Table for Reconsideration

Types of Zoning Codes

Who?

Who will revise the code?

• City Council

• Planning Commission

• Advisory Group

• Staff

• Consultant Team

Code Revision Core Team

Advisory Group

• Purpose:• Assist with public outreach

• Provide feedback on development and implementation of a revised code

• Meets regularly throughout process

• Advisory Group members:Chris Bradford Melissa Neslund

Mandy De MayoStephen Oliver

Stephen Delgado Brian Reis

Jim Duncan Beverly Silas

Will Herring Dave Sullivan

Jeff Jack

Staff & Consultant Resources

• 3 1/2 new staff positions in Planning and Development Review Dept. (PDRD)

• Support from multiple PDRD divisions and other departments as needed

• Up to $2M for consultant services and related expenses

Staff & Consultant Resources

• Opticos Design – Lead consultant• Fregonese Assoc.

• Peter J. Park

• McCann Adams

• Cultural Strategies

• Group Solutions

• Lisa Wise Consulting

• RCLCO

• ECONorthwest

• Taniguchi Architects

• Kimley Horn

• McGuireWoods

• Urban Design Group

How?

How will the code be revised?

Organizing the Process

• Preliminary outreach to key stakeholders—development and business community, affordable housing, neighborhoods, environment/sustainability, etc. (Complete as of Jan. 17, 2013)

• Advisory Group appointed (Jan-Feb 2013)

• “Code 101” and best practices

• “Headliners” ongoing throughout the process

• RFQ issued in early November 2012

• Consultant Team selected by Council March 21, 2013

Code Revision—Four Steps

1 2 3 4

Ongoing Review and Oversight

• Public Review and Comment • Advisory Group Review and Comment• Planning Commission Recommendation• City Council Approval

• Planning Commission Recommendation• City Council Approval

Step 1Step 2Step 3

Step 4

Listening and Education

Step 1

• Designing listening sessions— Advisory Group, consultant, and staff

• Conduct listening sessions (what works, what doesn’t work, identification of critical issues & divisive topics)

• Generate contact list of interested parties for ongoing outreach and information

• Results of listening sessions compiled and provided to consultant team

Code Diagnosis & Outline

Step 2Code Diagnosis (Generated by consultant)

•Discussion of alternative approaches to critical issues with Advisory Group

•Prepare draft diagnosis (what’s left alone, what’s to be revised, and what to explore further)

•Advisory Group and staff review

•Public and Boards and Commissions review

•Planning Commission recommends and City Council approves diagnosis

Code Diagnosis & Outline

Step 2Annotated Outline(Generated by consultant)

•Summary organization of the revised code

•Community dialogue on alternative approaches to critical issues

•Advisory Group and staff review

•Boards and Commissions review

•Planning Commission recommends and City Council approves outline

Diagnosis & OutlinePreliminary Draft Code

Step 3Initial Draft of Code (Generated by consultant)

•Based on annotated outline

•Conduct workshops on draft sections of the code

•Develop roll-out process for mapping

•Broad events to allow public to explore and comment on code

•Advisory Group and staff review

•Public and Boards and Commissions review

•Adoption draft of code based on input

Code Adoption Process

Step 4Public Hearings

Planning Commission recommends and City Council adopts

When?When will the

project be complete?

2013 2014 2015

STEP1

STEP2

STEP3

STEP4

2016

LISTENING & UNDERSTANDING

CODE DIAGNOSIS & DRAFT CODE OUTLINE

CODE DEVELOPMENT

CODE ADOPTION

TIMELINE: LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE REVISION

Next Steps

Summary of Proposal

What Does Success Look Like?

On time and within

budget

Open to all

Engaging people who

use the codeRespectful and fair

Informative and

educational

Focus on common

ground

Avoid assumptionsNot letting perfection

get in the way of

improvement

A clear, predictable, user-friendly

code that implemen

ts

Role of Department Representatives

• Providing information, resources or expertise to consultant team

• Meeting with consultant and serving as technical representative for your work area

• Distributing information, status reports, and work products to your team for review and comment

• Ensuring staff input from your department is provided to consultant team on schedule and in well-organized format

Questions?

www.austintexas.gov/newLDC

G:\Code Revision