VMU at City Council: This is very encouraging

Last night, City Council took a firm stand on Vertical Mixed Use.  It voted 6-1 to deny Judge's Hill's application to opt its four eligible tracts out of the VMU district.  (Dunkerly's motion was worded more diplomatically than that, but it had the same effect.)  It even voted to opt the tracts into the affordable housing incentives.

This was just a first reading, and there was some talk of putting off the 2nd and 3rd votes until ROMA has completed its downtown plan.  But this was encouraging -- very encouraging -- because it was the first time Council had to take a stand.  I hope City staff and the Planning Commission take Council's cue.

Perhaps equally encouraging, Council postponed Hyde Park and East MLK's applications to opt all of their eligible properties out of VMU.  It was clear from the meeting (and from McCracken's e-mail to M1EK mentioned in a comment here) that these two neighborhoods are being sent back to the drawing board.

I have been pessimistic about VMU's chances since City Council voted to allow neighborhoods to opt individual properties out of the VMU district.  Last night's meeting is ground for cautious optimism. 

Comments

[Dee Copeland]

I was in a meeting with a city council member yesterday where this was brought up. ausitn City Council wants to be a leader in this area. The problem is that we all know the city will grow and we need to fight for some level of affordability in these central areas.

Even though a relative few home owners are trying to "stop" growth in their area, they are misguided. Austin is going to grow with or without our support and we need to find good options.